It was always going to happen.
When on-loan players are allowed to meet their parent club, it inevitably results in them wheeling away in celebration and there was no exception to that trend when Patrick Roberts lined out against Manchester City on Tuesday night.
But the goal prompted some fans to wonder why he was given the opportunity to even take the field.
Why is Patrick Roberts playing against his parent club? Mad that
— Adam (@AdamStreeet) December 6, 2016
https://twitter.com/SamLawrence8/status/806228077093289986
https://twitter.com/BenHunt93_/status/806227150261145600
Roberts was allowed to face the club from which he’s on loan because Uefa does not allow parent clubs to prohibit on-loan players from competing against them – unlike the Premier League, where we regularly see big teams forbid players who have been sent out to get first-team experience from lining out against them.
Uefa’s stance was enforced two years ago when rumours circulated that Chelsea were set to deny their on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois the chance to take his place between the sticks for a Champions League semi-final.
But that suggestion was given short shrift.
“Both the Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations contain clear provisions which strictly forbid any club to exert, or attempt to exert, any influence whatsoever over the players that another club may (or may not) field in a match,” a 2014 statement read.
“It follows that any provision in a private contract between clubs which might function in such a way as to influence who a club fields in a match is null, void and unenforceable so far as Uefa is concerned.
“Furthermore, any attempt to enforce such a provision would be a clear violation of both the Uefa Champions League and the Uefa Disciplinary Regulations and would therefore be sanctioned accordingly.”
But back to Roberts.
The 19-year-old was loaned to Celtic in January on an 18-month deal and has flourished ever since, particularly since the arrival of Brendan Rodgers.
Roberts’ ability to cut in off the right flank on his left foot and bamboozle defenders en route to goal has earned him comparisons with Barcelona great Lionel Messi.
Patrick Roberts getting some Messi lovehttps://t.co/xrAPQSwHt8
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) October 16, 2016
And that was the exact sequence that saw him give the Hoops the lead at the Etihad Stadium this week.
Roberts took possession on the right wing and danced his way inside the City box before firing beyond the outstretched Willy Caballero who, to be fair, probably should have done better.
How about that?! @ManCity loanee @patrick7roberts returns to the Etihad to haunt Pep's side. 👌 #UCL #CityvCeltic https://t.co/f9UsMwi155
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) December 6, 2016
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