Patrick Roberts – Fantasy Premier League Potential

Patrick Roberts has joined Norwich on loan from Manchester City for the 2019/20 season and will be part of the squad from July 1st. Roberts is to be Daniel Farke’s first signing since Premier League promotion as he looks to bolster the squad for the upcoming campaign.

Having won three titles with Celtic, Roberts has had domestic success, albeit in the Scottish Premier League. Roberts has signed a two year contract extension with Manchester City, whilst going straight back out on loan to Norwich City. Here’s what Roberts has had to say about his loan move:

“The manager was very enthusiastic when he spoke to me. He really enjoys the way I play and that’s a big boost of confidence for me.”

Player History

Roberts joined Fulham when he was 13 and rose through the ranks and even made hi Premier League debut in 2014 for the club in a fixture against his current parent club, Manchester City. Whilst at Fulham during the 2014/15 season Roberts managed 19 appearances.

In 2015, Roberts signed for Manchester City for a fee believed to be around £12 million, however during his first season he made just two appearances for City in the League cup versus Sunderland and against Spurs in the league, both of which were from the bench.

Midway through the 2015/16 season, Roberts agreed to join Celtic and he spent 2 full seasons at the club, scoring 15 goals in 55 appearances. Not only did Roberts play in the Premier League, he also featured in the Champions League, scoring in a 3-0 victory over RSC Anderlecht and he even scored a goal against Manchester City during their Champions League fixture. During the 2016/17 season he managed 43 appearances, scoring on 15 occasions.

Roberts subsequently joined Girona (Manchester city partner club) for the 2018/19 season; however this was one of those seasons to forget. The Englishman couldn’t find the net in his 21 league appearances, the majority of these being off the bench and Girona ultimately suffered relegation.

Internationally, Roberts is yet to make a senior appearance for England, but has featured at various youth levels, featuring 47 times across the youth teams, scoring on 19 occasions.

Fantasy Football Potential

Now Roberts has an opportunity once more to prove to his parent club that he is capable of doing the things he was expected to do when coming through the ranks at Fulham, playing for England at under 16, 17 and under 19 level and ultimately convincing Manchester City to put their hands in their very deep pockets to sign him.

During a career that has been dominated by loan moves and showing flashes here and there of what he can do, at the age of 22, last chance saloon might be considered an exaggerating phrase but you would be forgiven for thinking this may be his final chance to prove he deserves to play football at the highest level as he should get plenty of game time for the canaries. New manager Farke has said that:

“He is desperate to wear the yellow and green shirt and he has already proved he can play at a high level. He is a perfect fit for us.”

Roberts can play either on the wing or alongside the main striker, whilst from a fantasy football perspective he will be certainly one to keep an eye on, especially if you’re looking for a cheap alternative and someone to create a few chances. Only time will tell if he can manage to cement a starting position in a team that ultimately won the Championship.