'That's the day' - Ashley Young knows moment he will retire as Everton man explains future plans
Ashley Young believes he could still be playing into his 40s as the versatile Everton star continues to hold value for Sean Dyche. Young’s ability to play on both sides of the defence has been crucial to the Blues during the early stages of the season with an injury crisis undermining the start of the campaign.
Problems for Vitalii Mykolenko, Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and James Garner have given him renewed importance within the squad and he could start at Ipswich Town depending on whether Coleman is deemed ready to return.
Now 39, the former Aston Villa, Manchester United and Inter player broke into the senior game in the Watford team that Dyche was a senior figure in.
READ MORE: Howard Webb admits he got 'taken to the cleaners' by Everton at 'toxic' Goodison Park
READ MORE: Sean Dyche makes admission over January transfers as Everton could sanction multiple exits
The pair were reunited at the start of last season when Young signed on a free and he extended his stay by 12 months over the summer.
Whether his future on Merseyside will extend into the new stadium remains to be seen, but Young said he still believes he will be able to play over the coming years.
Young, who watched his son, Tyler Young, make his professional debut for Peterborough United during the international break, said: “I'm just taking every season as it comes until my body tells me that I can't do it anymore.
“Then I think that's the day when I'll hang up my boots. But it could be a few years yet for me I'm still feeling as fit as I have done in years.”
Young has made five Premier League appearances for Everton this season so far. He was sent off against Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day as he started the campaign at right-back but has since found form, playing a clever through ball to create Iliman Ndiaye’s goal at Leicester City and impressing against Crystal Palace and Newcastle United.
Speaking to club media, Young looked ahead with optimism to an upcoming run of games that holds potential for the Blues.
With Fulham and Southampton following the trip to Portman Road, he said: “I think we've got quite a few games coming up with teams that are around us so it's important for us to start looking at the table and getting points on the board.
“But we can't be looking too far ahead. We've got to look at the next game and that's going to be Ipswich away. They want to get themselves a win, so we know it's going to be a tough game, but like I say, we're preparing in the right way.”