Everton: Ashley Young could be handed new Goodison Park contract after fresh injury development
Everton still have plenty to play for this season, with recent point deductions throwing Sean Dyche’s side back into the relegation battle.
The Toffees know that their Premier League form has to improve sooner rather than later if they want to dodge the drop to the Championship, but new injury updates at Goodison Park could harm their survival chances.
Reports have suggested that Nathan Patterson’s season could already be over after the Scottish international sustained a hamstring injury in the Blues’ defeat to Chelsea, with his involvement at Euro 2024 now in doubt [Daily Mail, 18 April].
That leaves Dyche incredibly short of options at right-back between now and the end of the season, with Ben Godfrey, Ashley Young and the injury-prone Seamus Coleman the only real candidates capable of playing week in and week out at right-back.
Will Ashley Young leave Everton and Goodison Park in the summer transfer window?
Young’s future is unclear in Merseyside beyond the end of the season, with the 38-year-old’s current deal at Goodison Park expiring at the end of the Premier League campaign.
The England international has played 25 times for Everton in the Premier League this season, as an incredibly versatile member of Dyche’s squad featuring as both a full-back and a winger.
Reports have suggested that Young is ready to sign a new deal to extend his stay at Goodison Park beyond the end of the season as he is eager to continue playing professional football until he is at least 40 [Sunday People, 31 March].
While the veteran hasn’t been in the best of form this season, Patterson’s injury will surely see the Toffees act to extend the former Manchester United man’s contract so that they have some semblance of depth heading into next season.
Patterson could well be fit again by the time next season rolls around, but the Toffees cannot afford to leave themselves short. A new deal doesn’t mean the 38-year-old will have to play week in and week out but his experience will be incredibly valuable.
While nothing has been confirmed by either the club or Young himself, it would not come as a surprise if an announcement about the England international’s future emerges in the coming weeks.
In other Everton news, The Esk has shared a new update about 777 Partners’ takeover bid at Goodison Park
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