Questions are being raised at Deportivo La Coruna, where fans and the media are wondering what is going on with Charlie Patino after his arrival from Arsenal this summer.
Galicia press cover the situation today and question how a player who is considered the most valuable in the squad isn’t seeing any minutes on the pitch.
They explain that Patino is the only outfield player in the squad who is yet to receive any minutes this season, despite being the most valuable asset the club have.
Patino arrived in the summer from Arsenal but has been having something of a rough start to life with the Spanish side, which we’ve covered over the last few weeks.
Furthermore, it proved that Deportivo’s project was attractive for young promising players and that the club’s management were looking for players with a connection to the club, given Patino grew up watching the club in the stands.
However, Patino has found himself relegated to those stands at the beginning of the season. They dispute the idea there hasn’t been an opportunity for him, pointing out that there have been four opportunities for manager Imanol Idiakez to introduce him and he’s instead overlooked the player.
Patino appears to be the ‘ugly duckling’ in his eyes as he’s the only player in the squad not to play a single minute this season. The only other one who hasn’t had a chance is the third-choice goalkeeper.
This has led to some confusion as the club keep highlighting the former Arsenal man’s qualities but in reality, this is all ‘hearsay’ until fans get to see it on the pitch. When that will happen is anyone’s guess.
