Sylvain Distin - better with age

Article by e-Everton Correspondent Kenneth Jarvis

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When Everton sold Joleon Lescott for £24m in 2009 it allowed Everton to to expand their squad by duly bringing three players into the club. First of all Everton bought in 24 year old Diniyar Bilyaletdinov for around 9 million pounds to much excitement from the fans. It seemed like this was the player we needed who would unlock defences and give us that x factor in the final third. A few days later, Everton secured the signature of 25 year old Dutch defender John Heitinga from Atletico Madrid, who it was thought would be able to replace Lescott whilst also giving us an extra option in the much needed right-back position.

In the middle of that was the signing of a 31 year old from Portsmouth for 5 million pounds. Whilst accepted that it was a signing for a much needed position, for a club of Everton's financial stature, it seemed a heavy price to pay for a 30+ Portsmouth player who relied on his exceptional pace. Bilyaletdinov flattered to deceive during his time and although a lot would say he was never played in his correct position, his signing didn't work out for the club. Heitinga did will for periods, but compared to Everton's signings for similar amounts, the money could have been better spent elsewhere.

Distin on the other hand has been an unqualified success and has now been a mainstay in the Everton defence for 4 and a half years. At 31 years old it seemed like time could catch up with him at any point but year after year he has seemed to get better and better and his pace, quite incredibly, has maintained. At 36 years old, you'd only bet on Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu beating him in a foot race, and even then it'd be close. Watching the career of Rio Ferdinand slide toward an inglorious end, it speaks volumes of Sylvain Distin and his professionalism that he is playing the best football of his Everton career and has rightfully been awarded with another year on his contract. To use another Manchester United player as an example, Ryan Giggs has been consistently lauded, and rightfully so, for his longevity and dedication to his profession and the same can be said of Distin. Unlike Ryan Gigs, Distin doesn't have the option of changing his game as he gets older, but he hasn't had to. Whether it is due to his sparring in the ring with Liverpool's finest, his extra sessions in the gym or his dedication to recovery after games, his performance hasn't wavered.

It's quite amazing that Distin has no international caps. Even now, he is easily good enough to be in the French squad but has been constantly overlooked by the many managers that France have had over the last 15 or so years. It's sad for a man so likable that he hasn't had the chance to represent his county but he has played for his clubs with distinction and had a fantastic career nevertheless.

This season has been a particularly good one for Distin, whether or not that is down to the way Martinez plays is up for debate, but I think it has helped. Against Liverpool, Antolin Alcaraz' lack of pace got ruthlessly exposed but this would not have been allowed to happen if Distin was patrolling the back line. His pace and physicality has time and time again got Everton out of dangerous situation and it's fair to say that Martinez' style of play does suit him when he can thwart opposition counter attacks and restart Everton's possession. Distin has been prone to mistakes every now and again, most obviously against Liverpool in the semi-final of the FA Cup, but mistakes have been more or less non existent in this campaign. Next to Jagielka, who himself is having a fine season and flanked by the best full-back pairing in the league, only Chelsea have let in fewer goals in the league this season, and that is under Mourinho's methodical tactics. When Martinez took over from Everton, the 73 goals that Wigan let in the previous season was used as a stick to beat him with and an apparent reason he wouldn't succeed. Wigan had terrible injury problems in that area last year and with more reliable quality defenders, he has shown that defence doesn't have to suffer in pursuit of possession and attacking intent.

As long as Sylvain Distin wants to carry on playing, Everton will have a quality and consistent centre-back who also a shining example for the rest of the team and the young players at the club. The likes of John Stones can only benefit from him before his time to step into a first choice centre-back role when Distin finally hangs up his boots, but that could and hopefully is, a few years yet.

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