Ashley Young Uses International Stage To Sell Himself To England’s Top Clubs

Goal
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In the cold light of day, Fabio Capello will conclude there was little he learned at a Cardiff cauldron that was far more frenzied off the pitch than on.

That Jack Wilshere is a natural at the top level, Scott Parker is a blur of energy, there is life in Frank Lampard and Darren Bent knows the way to goal when he gets the service, he will have already deduced.

But the most food for thought for the Italian strategist will have been provided by Ashley Young’s performance. The Aston Villa man was the outstanding player at the Millennium Stadium.

He was instrumental in sewing up the match for England – one that had looked so tricky on paper – in the opening 15 minutes.

First, Young won the early spot-kick after entering the penalty area down the inside-left channel following a neat one-two with John Terry. It was a poor challenge from James Collins, whose rush of blood had followed an unfortunate slip, but Young’s burst was superbly timed.

He demonstrated his calibre even further with his contribution to the second goal. A clever run behind the flapping left-back Danny Collins was spotted by Glen Johnson, whose stunning 60-yard pass was so precise that Young was able to roll a delicious first-time cross into the grateful path of Bent, who walloped it into the roof of the net. It was a simple but wonderfully crafted goal.

From there, Young did not look back. In alliance with the rampaging Johnson, he terrorised Wales’ left flank in the first half with his pace, crossing and neat footwork.

Like his team-mates, he was quieter after the break when England took their foot off the pedal but Young had proved that his match-winning display as a second-half substitute in the February friendly against Denmark was not a flash in the pan. Young has now scored or set up each of England’s last three goals.

A role on the right side of a front three is not what the 25-year-old has been used to this season at club level, where he has graduated from predominantly left winger to second striker.

But Young’s quality on the ball is matched by his versatility. During five seasons wearing the claret-and-blue, he has demonstrated he can play effectively anywhere behind the centre-forward.

It is with good reason that Champions League calibre clubs are targeting him as a blue-chip summer signing.

Through accident or design, and the suspicion rests on the latter, Young’s camp have manoeuvred themselves into an exceptionally strong bargaining position.

His Villa contract will have only another season to run by the time England play their next international against Switzerland in early June and by that time his future will be clearer.

The chances of him still being in the Midlands next season are almost minimal. Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City have made their interest in capturing his signature well known. Tottenham, who had two bids worth just short of £20million rejected for the midfielder two summers ago and held further negotiations last year, also maintain an interest.

The money men at Villa will have been chuffed by Young’s man-of-the-match display in a competitive international. With his value falling as the months tick by on his contract, it might have added a million or two on to his summer fee.