Being ageless, professional and an upholder of standards were among the characteristics Ashley Young was credited with possessing as recently as last season.
The former England international is reportedly the subject of interest from Everton as Sean Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell look to build a squad that can compete in the Premier League over a summer of anticipated austerity at the club.
While any interest is not yet thought to be advanced, there are factors that would suggest Young could genuinely be on the club’s radar. The veteran is versatile, experienced and perhaps most importantly a free agent. His arrival would add depth in key areas and, in a dressing room that has recently lost influential characters including Conor Coady, Yerry Mina and Andros Townsend, references from one previous manager suggest he would be a positive character behind the scenes.
One reservation among supporters would be his age. At 38 Young would be one of the oldest members of the first-team squad, though he would not be the oldest deal completed this summer by Everton should interest progress to a move - 39-year-old goalkeeper Andy Lonergan agreed to a new 12 month contract last week. But for Steven Gerrard, the last manager to sign Young, that was not a barrier to his influence at Aston Villa last season.
READ MORE: Everton goalkeeper signs new deal as Sean Dyche set to consider first team options
EXCLUSIVE: Duncan Ferguson reveals true feelings on Rafa Benitez appointment and opens up on Everton protests
Speaking in October, Gerrard said of Young: “Ashley’s turning out to be the most important signing we’ve done. His performances have been above and beyond. He’s the one who has driven us to turn this corner and given us a small platform for us to build from.
"He’s epitomised everything we needed to do and get back to: Standing up, rolling your sleeves up, being professional, getting back to basics, training well, doing the basics well, communicating on the pitch, driving other people to be better… At his age to still drive standards the way he does, has been very impressive.
"He’s been impeccable since day one. Even when he’s not playing, he still plays his part and his role. Don’t under-estimate the role he has played since I’ve been in the building, he’s been fantastic.”
Those words offer a degree of encouragement to Dyche as he attempts to rebuild Everton by a return to basics and driving up standards. While Gerrard’s stint at Villa came to an abrupt end, Young remained influential. He played 29 times in the Premier League, his last appearance from the bench in a 1-1 draw at Anfield in the penultimate game of the campaign. He covered left-back and right- back during the season while his experience typically lies in more attacking areas.
Everton are known to be looking to strengthen their full-back options this summer having finished the season - the must-win game over Bournemouth - unable to name anyone with experience of the role on either side of the defence.
James Garner impressed on the right and has continued to perform in that position this summer, helping England to glory in the European Under-21 Championship without conceding a goal. He is happy to provide cover in that area and is proving competent in the position.
But competition is deemed necessary for left-back Vitalii Mykolenko and the search is underway, with 25-year-old Brazilian left-back Rogerio, of Serie A side Sassuolo, another option thought to have been discussed.
