Blackpool Boss: Patino As Good As Anything I’ve Seen

By The Editor
on 6th October 2022

Blackpool manager Michael Appleton is a big fan of Charlie Patino…

Blackpool manager Michael Appleton waxed lyrical on Charlie Patino after the 18-year-old’s virtuoso performance against Sunderland on Tuesday, LancsLive reports.

Patino started the game in a deep-lying position in midfield and looked at home at the Stadium of Light as The Tangerines came away with a point and a clean sheet.

The Hale End star’s loan spell started wonderfully after joining Blackpool on deadline day in September, though one fateful night in west London threatened to derail the plan.

Patino rolled his ankle at QPR and the injury looked nasty at first sight. However, after coming back to London Colney to be assessed by our doctors, the England U20 international only missed a month of action and has picked up where he left off.

Speaking about his dominant display at such a tender age, Appleton stated that he was in awe of the youngster.

“18 years old he still is, he can deal with the ball in any area of the pitch, go past people left side, right side,” the former Leicester City boss said.

“I said when he came to the club he’s as good as anything I’ve seen dealing with the ball and with good movement of the ball as you’ve seen tonight he can play as a six, can play as a ten, can play as an eight.

“He’s got a really, really good future ahead of him.”

Charlie played the entire game, a testament to his importance and his physical development in such a demanding league.

“He controlled the game, it was his game, he played at his tempo when he wanted to speed it up he sped it up, when he wanted to slow it down he slowed it down, when he wanted to switch the play he did it,” Appleton added.

“It was a very mature performance from a very young lad.”