Simon Jordan and Martin Keown clash live on air over Everton ‘Peter Pan’ Ashley Young
Simon Jordan and Martin Keown have clashed live on air over Everton winger Ashley Young, with the former Toffees defender praising the Blues for an “astute” piece of business.
Young made the switch to Goodison Park during the summer transfer window and has been a regular part of Sean Dyche’s side this season, featuring at both full-back and in attack as the Toffees fight against relegation.
While Keown has been impressed with the veteran’s performances at Goodison Park this season, he has refused to dub the 38-year-old Everton’s “Peter Pan” and has insisted that his legs could go at any foreseeable moment.
Speaking on talkSPORT on Friday (9 February, 11:14) he said: “In a one-on-one situation, he may not be quite as quick as he might be, but he has that creativity within his game as he showed as a young man. I think he has a pride in his fitness and I think it was a very astute piece of business to bring him there in the summer.”
Jordan disagreed saying: “I have never forgiven him for scoring two goals in a playoff semi-final for Watford against Palace and I take great delight in telling him.
“I think he’s a decent player, I don’t think he’s an outstanding player and he used to frustrate me at times when he was playing for England because I didn’t think he was at that level. But as a pro, you can’t argue with his body of work.
Keown replied: “When your legs go, nobody really knows when that is going to happen and that will happen. He’s not Peter Pan out there, eventually, there will be a moment but I think it will be around about 40.”
Ashley Young key for Sean Dyche in Everton survival bid
Everton did not bring Young to Goodison Park as a long-term solution. Instead, the veteran offered a short-term and versatile option to one of the biggest problems in Dyche’s squad at Goodison.
Young is able to cover a variety of positions for the Toffees, both in defence and attack and will always offer a feeling of reliability, even if he has had moments where he has shown his age and a lack of cutting-edge so far this season.
The 38-year-old was brought to Merseyside to help Everton stay in the Premier League this season and while he may not be “outstanding” as Jordan suggested, he has plenty to offer Dyche and his side.
Whether he will continue playing until 40 as Keown suggested, remains to be seen, but it feels unlikely that he will still be pulling on Everton shirt at that age.
In other Everton news, Alan Brazil and Ray Parlour have raged over Manchester City’s lack of punishment for FFP charges
For more Everton news, follow us on Facebook or join our brand new WhatsApp Channel for instant updates to be sent straight to your phone.