Ashley Young says he has no plans to retire at the end of the season despite signing for Everton at the age of 38 – and insists he’s relishing the opportunity of returning success to Goodison Park. The former Watford, Aston Villa, Manchester United and Inter Milan full-back made the move to Goodison Park in July after he was released by Aston Villa following a successful second stint with the Midlands outfit.
Ashley Young said: “I’ve come to a massive club in Everton. I spoke to the manager, who wanted me at Burnley previously, before coming here and from the moment I walked in the door here I saw for myself and felt a togetherness from the players and the staff. It’s real. I know what the manager wants to achieve here. You look back at Everton teams over the years and we have to get back to competing at a higher level. Obviously, the past two years haven’t gone that way and it’s a transitional period for us and a lot of teams, but the way the manager spoke and the way the players are here, that’s what we need to get back to.”
The winger-turned-full-back has started all four of Everton’s four Premier League games so far this campaign and believes he still has plenty to offer the Blues, with the idea of retirement not currently occupying his thinking.
Ashley Young added: “Is this my last season? I wouldn’t say so, no. I’ve said before that I’m not ready to retire yet. Who knows what can happen next season or the season after? Who knows? I won’t put all my eggs in one basket and say this season is going to be the last dance. I’ve spoken to a lot of players who have retired and felt that they retired too early. Everyone always says that you will know when you’re ready to retire. If you’re fit, if you can keep playing games, if you still love it, if you still have that hunger and desire to do well, then don’t stop. If anyone sees me in training, if anyone sees me at home, they will know that I’m a winner. I’m not stopping. I just keep myself in good shape — eat well, drink right. I know my body. I know what I need to do, whether that’s in the gym or out on the training pitch. Every time I go out on the training pitch I’m giving 100 per cent, I’m not leaving anything out there. I know how to recover and how to prepare for games. There’s no stopping me right now. As long as I can stay fit and keep getting up and down the pitch, I’m not even thinking about retiring.”
