Everton’s season has been a strange one, with the fanbase having been taken on one of the wildest rides in recent memory.
It has been a true emotional rollercoaster, going from the immense peaks of their two fine winning streaks to the crushing lows of their two points deductions and the ongoing takeover turmoil.
But, with Sean Dyche’s remarkable help, they have survived, and at last their work is getting lauded by the media.
Gabby Agbonlahor has been shocked by one Everton player
Speaking live on talkSPORT earlier today, Gabby Agbonlahor and Alan Brazil combed over the morning’s hot topics, unsurprisingly focusing on last night’s Champions League thriller.
However, they would take a brief break to actually speak about Everton, welcoming Ashley Young onto the show to chat about the Premier League and his club.
The 38-year-old was affable, joking around with his former Aston Villa teammate, and upon ending their conversation Agbonlahor was left stunned by Young.
He told Brazil: ‘I can’t understand. We talk to him in the group chat and say how are the legs and he’s like ‘Fine’. I’m just like how, he is just up and down, left-back, right-back.
‘When he was at Villa you just never expected him to be a defender. He was a bit like me, we didn’t really like heading the ball as forward players. But the career he has had, winning the Scudetto in Italy with Inter Milan, Manchester United, winning trophies and playing for England at tournaments as well. His career has been unbelievable.’
Ashley Young is proving everyone wrong at Everton
Having started the season poorly, conceding penalties and picking up bookings galore, it felt like it would be a long, tough season for the ageing winger.
After all, with Dyche seemingly intent on playing him at full-back ahead of Nathan Patterson and Ben Godfrey, it was clear that he prioritised his experience over athleticism.
But in a backline already lacking pace, it was a disastrous decision that simply did not work, with the defender directly at fault for two goals whilst also giving away a further penalty.
Many called for Young’s exit from the team, and deservedly so, but as the season has gone on few can deny that he has not recaptured his form.
This is no greater exemplified than in his presence throughout their three wins in a week at the end of last month, playing two full 90s and a further 45 in the Merseyside derby as they beat Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford, all at Goodison Park and all to nil.
Having cut out the mistakes and focused on doing his job as quietly and professionally as possible, Young may have just earned himself another year at Everton before seemingly moving into the punditry role he is already pining for.