Charlie Patino was hailed as the next big thing to come out of the Arsenal academy, but has so far struggled to live up to that expectation in Spain. The now-Deportivo midfielder was tipped to break into the first-team like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly have done this season, but his career has taken a different trajectory.
Patino, 21, made two cup appearances for the Gunners amid Championship loans to Blackpool and Swansea. He was thought to be heading in the right direction after some high praise from Arsenal academy scout Shaun O’Connor.
“The best player who has ever walked through the doors at Hale End,” O’Connor described Patino. He had previously discovered Jack Wilshere and was certain that another prospect would follow in his footsteps.
Fellow Arsenal scout Brian Stapleton explained to Football.London: “When I went to watch Charlie I saw straight away the ability. His vision was unbelievable.
“Even at that age he always had space and time. To see a kid at that age doing it, he would never have anyone on him when he received the ball and he knew his next move straight away.
“The first time I saw him I spoke to Arsenal about him. They said ‘what do you think?’ and I said ‘I’m not going to see him anymore. I’ve seen enough of this kid’.
“The first time I watched him I recommended him that day – I’ve never done that with any player. Everyone was interested him. When I first watched him nobody was aware of him. That’s why Arsenal had to act quickly, then before you know it Chelsea were there, Manchester City, Tottenham – every club wanted Charlie Patino.”
But fast-forward a few years and Patino is playing in the Spanish second division and has barely taken to the pitch for Deportivo.
He has featured four times for his new club, thrice in La Liga 2, having opted for a change in scenery. He opted to leave north London for more regular playing time.
Deportivo was seen as the ideal landing spot. His father supports the club but coach Oscar Gilsanz has preferred other options and a series of fitness issues has often meant that the midfielder is unavailable.
“I’m still very young, now I want to show what I can do here,” Patino told The Guardian when he first moved to Spain. “I’ve been watching, analysing. This is my game: pass and move, drive, create. Simple. Effective. Brilliant basics. Don’t over-complicate but play with intent. I’m new; when I get my chance, I’m going to take it. It’s patience, timing. Wait, be ready.”
Patino’s admirers are ready for him to realise his talent but the youngster has been dealt another frustrating season in the meantime.
