The Everton anthem proclaims them as ‘a grand old team to support’ so perhaps the arrival of 38-year-old c will prove a masterstroke.
Young, who played alongside Sean Dyche when he began his career at Watford two decades ago, describe his decision to join Everton as a ‘no-brainer’ after being released by Aston Villa.
And despite the cynics claiming the move only highlighted Everton’s financial predicament, the former Manchester United, Inter Milan and England star enjoyed a fantastic debut yesterday as a winger, scoring the only goal in a 1-0 win at Wigan
Tougher challenges like ahead for sure. Everton have been perilously close to relegation in each of the last two seasons and they need to survive on a relative shoestring for one more season in order to move into their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock in August 2024 as a Premier League club.
The club haven’t paid a transfer fee for a permanent signing in the last two transfer windows and are in special measures having reported heavy financial losses over three years.
The 38-year-old is adamant former team-mate Sean Dyche can help turn the Toffees’ fortunes
But Young is adamant having agreed his move to Merseyside that the Everton glass should remain half-full because of Dyche being at the helm. After all, he’s a manager used to punching above his weight at Burnley and three of his squad at Turf Moore – Dwight McNeil, James Tarkowski and Michael Keane – are now at Goodison.
‘When I played alongside Sean, I could tell he would go into management. He has that winning mentality, that spark when he walks into a dressing-room, you’re aware of that presence,’ he explains.
Him and Everton is a good match and from what I’ve seen so far, all the players are willing to buy into it
‘I knew he wanted me at Burnley before I went to Aston Villa so it was extra pull to join Everton besides the fans, players and size of the club.
‘Obviously the last two seasons haven’t gone as well as they should but he has the mentality to take the club higher up the table where they should be. Obviously the last two seasons haven’t gone as well as they should but he has the mentality to take the club higher up the table where they should be.
‘The last couple of years wasn’t going to put me off joining. When you put a challenge in front of me, I go full throttle.
Dyche wanted watched the U21s team play on Saturday to see what he’s got coming through
‘They’ve not had a settled manager but what Sean gives, I’m feeling positive.’
Certainly, Everton need some of that positivity from Young. They’ve become a selling club over recent times and Monaco-based Farhad Moshiri an absentee owner.
He’s had to take on loans to secure the building of the stadium which has impacted on the playing squad. Fans were so discontented, directors didn’t go to Goodison for the second part of last season.
They played well at Wigan on Saturday but it was significant assistant Ian Woan took charge because Dyche wanted to see the under-21s team play instead to see what he’s got coming through.
The absences of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Amadou Onana with injuries will also be concerning given the Premier League begins in three weeks. Demarai Gray has been given time off after playing for Jamaica in the Gold Cup and he may or may not return given there is interest from other clubs.
Luckily for Everton, Young is Mr Versatility and having spent his latter years as a wing-back, he looked good as a left-sided attacker, even breaking into the box to hit the winner after 63 minutes before gaining a standing ovation from hundreds of Evertonians when he was substituted later on.
‘It is fluid where I’ll be used. As a player you have to be ready to play in different positions,’ said Young.
‘I am one of those players who gives 100 per cent whatever position the manager wants. I can’t wait to get to Goodison and play for the badge. I know the home fans are loud and noisy and will give everything back to you. When you get a chance to play for a big club like Everton it was a no-brainer.’
One of Young’s happiest Goodison memories was scoring the winner for Villa which prompted Martin O’Neill to label him a ‘genius’.
Everton will need a few of those this season though fans should also remember the third line of their club song which begins ‘And If you know your history’
The last time things looked this bleak, in 2004 when they finished 17th and then sold Wayne Rooney, David Moyes battened down the hatches the following season and Everton surprised everyone to finish in the top four!
