Is Ashley Young THAT Good?

By Brian Lofrumento | 15th December 2008

Is Ashley Young THAT Good? | read this item

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ashleyyoung_468x556 With January fast approaching, transfer rumors are beginning to run rampant. The latest rumor is that Real Madrid are interested in signing the new David Beckham. Yes, that means you, Ashley Young.

I can’t help but wonder – is Ashley Young really that good? He’s proved himself consistently this season, and there’s no denying his pace and raw ability. However, Young is largely an unproven player on a larger scale. With only four caps to his name, none of us have seen Young in a major tournament. The closest he has gotten to a major tournament is the UEFA Cup, where he has two assists in four appearances.

Even without convincing tournaments, I still think Ashley Young really is as good as Martin O’Neill and Aston Villa make him out to be. Martin O’Neill said Monday morning that Young is “in the same class as Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi,” and today newspapers around the globe are hailing him as the new Beckham. What makes them say this? Well, for one thing, the 23 year old is an assist machine. The winger was second in the Premier League assist table last season, only trailing behind Arsenal’s Cesc Fabregas.

Young is also beginning to add goals to his name. In 37 Premier League appearances last year, Young netted just eight goals. In 20 fewer appearances already this season, Young has five goals (and five assists). Against Everton, a top class opponent in the league, Young put two goals past Tim Howard, who is one of the finest goalkeepers in the Premiership. With goals and assists both coming in bunches, Ashley Young is certainly proving a point and asserting himself amongst some of the world’s best.

What do you think? Would Ashley Young be good enough to fit into a side like Real Madrid? Have your say in the Premiership Talk Forum or hear my thoughts on the matter in the Premiership Talk Podcast.