Nathan Patterson has detailed the work he undertakes with Everton's sports science team in a bid to reach the required level to play in the Premier League.
The full-back completed a move to Goodison Park from Rangers back in January. Patterson arrived at Everton from Ibrox for an undisclosed fee.
However, the Scotland international initially struggled to make a meaningful impact at the club and only featured once for the first-team last season. But to his credit, Patterson has bounced back with renewed purpose this season and impressed with a string of impressive displays.
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And speaking to Mail Sport, Patterson has opened up on how the standard of players in England’s top-flight initially blew him away, and prompted him to undertake one-on-one with Everton’s sports science team in a bid to reach the required level.
He said: “The Premier League is a different level, even from playing at Rangers. There’s at least 50,000 in the different stadiums every week so it’s great to have that pressure on you.
“Playing against top players every week is only going to benefit me. It’s brilliant because at a young age I’m getting to challenge myself on a regular basis.
“What a league this is. The best I’ve played against so far is probably Diaz in the Liverpool game at Goodison. That was a proper test and I felt I did well.
“But honestly, everyone down here is top quality. In pre-season I played against Martinelli of Arsenal and he was so sharp. Everyone is sharp in this league!
“They’re all athletes. That’s one of the big differences from the Scottish Premiership. It’s more to do with what players do off the field down here.
“They’re maybe a bit more dedicated. It’s just a different league and to be part of it now is unbelievable. I’m in the gym more now, just to try to keep up.
“I work with the Everton sports scientists on what I need to improve. We are getting closer to where I want to be.
“I definitely feel I’ve improved even since leaving Rangers and I’ve matured as well living on my own down here. My family come down for home games but it has helped a lot that I have to do everything for myself.
“It has given me more ownership and independence, as opposed to relying on other people in Glasgow.”
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