Deportivo La Coruna manager Imanol Idiakez has come out in defender of former Arsenal youngster Charlie Patino, hinting negative stories about him may stem from a problem with his agents.
La Voz de Galicia cover comments from the Spanish boss today in which he hits back at claims over Patino made this week.
We covered a report yesterday on how the youngster has been struggling in Spain this season since making a permanent exit from Arsenal.
He had been with the Gunners since he was a youngster arriving from Luton’s Academy in 2015 and worked his way up the various youth ranks over the years, as well as enjoying loan spells at Blackpool and Swansea.
The 20-year-old was highly rated but never made a serious breakthrough into the Arsenal first team and so was allowed to leave this summer for La Coruna, who currently play in the Spanish second division.
That move was questioned this week as it was reported he was in a ‘super difficult situation’ at the club, didn’t understand anything he was being told and basically wasn’t adapting to his new club or life in Spain.
It was all very doom and gloom for the former Arsenal youngster, but it seems Idiakez is unimpressed and pointing the finger at the player’s agents.
“The circumstances of the market condition a lot,” he said.
“The players have practically no room to do a preseason as God commands. We want to put them on the field almost without knowing their teammates, without a minimum. In certain positions we need people to have security.
“I would like to know how many games Charlie Patiño’s people have seen. He has changed country, team, situation. He is starting to learn the language. He has very good qualities and we trust that he will be a player of the present and future of Deportivo, but there is no hurry.”
