The final hours of Everton’s winter window turned into quite dramatic ones with a number of players’ futures hanging in the balance.
Dwight McNeil is the most well-documented given his proposed move to Crystal Palace fell through in the eleventh hour.
However, David Moyes was open to allowing a number of players to depart on deadline day.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers Q&A session on TalkingPoints.
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Moyes admitted Everton signings were unlikely from the opening days of the New Year, but one new face landed in the form of Tyrique George.
A focus was placed on finding some of Everton’s outcasts opportunities to play more regular football between now and the end of the season.
Deadline day is now done… what’s your thoughts, Toffees? 😬
What more could have been done? 🫣
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And a late move to Wolves for one Everton player was even proposed on deadline day.
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Wolves made late move for Everton’s Nathan Patterson
For months, Patterson has been linked with a move away from Everton to get some regular first team minutes in ahead of the World Cup.
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Ultimately, the Scotland international has remained on Merseyside for the final months of the campaign.
Could Nathan Patterson have offered Everton more from right-back than Jake O’Brien? 🤔
An overview of Nathan Patterson's career at Everton.
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Speaking on The View From The Bullens’ Patreon account, one club insider shared word of a proposed offer from Wolves for Patterson.
“Everton were open to letting Nathan Patterson go out on loan because the player wants to be guaranteed minutes ahead of Scotland’s World Cup,” he said.
“Genoa were the club that were most keen and were suggesting if Brooke Norton-Cuffy leaves, they would like Nathan Patterson.”
“There was one other approach, I don’t think it’s met publications yet, Wolves came back for Nathan Patterson very, very late on and Everton rejected the approach.”
Moyes has said Everton want to sign a new right-back, with their search having now gone on for over 12 months.
Patterson’s determination to fight for his spot in the side is a big positive, though, and hopefully he can remain fit for the remainder of the term.
Everton must use Nathan Patterson at right-back
Jake O’Brien really impressed at centre-back alongside James Tarkowski late last year when the pair played together at the City Ground.
The Ireland international is not offering the Blues with much when he is playing at right-back.
There’s a clear demand for a natural fit in that position, with Patterson simply watching from the bench.
Patterson may not be the long-term answer that Moyes is after, but he must be viewing the Scotland international as a replacement for O’Brien.
Having a right-back who can offer something going forward would massively elevate this Everton side.
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