Monday, 7th January, 2013
Everton star Phil Jagielka has saluted his defensive team-mate Sylvain Distin and insisted the way the Frenchman is playing gives him encouragement that he can still be on the top of his game for years to come.
Distin is 35 years old, but has been performing consistently well for the Toffees so far this season, clocking up 18 appearances for David Moyes’ men in the current campaign.
Everton have conceded just 26 goals in the Premier League, two less than league leaders Manchester United and one less than third-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
And Distin has been a big part of that, giving Jagielka, who recently signed a new contract running until 2017, by which time he will be the Frenchman’s age, a pointer towards his own future.
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"With the sports science, the equipment, the fitness coaches and the physio team around us, it does help you progress further", he told his club’s official site.
"Sylvain is a fantastic professional. You wouldn’t think he was the age he is – you’d think he would be close to 10 years younger with the way he plays and that’s a credit to him.
"You look at Phil Neville as well, he’s not the youngest and he recently played his 500th Premier League game.
"If you can keep yourself fit and on top of your game like Sylvain has been doing, I’m sure he has another year or two in him."
Jagielka joined the Toffees in 2007 from Sheffield United.
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