A Premier League winner has revealed his dream to emulate NBA superstar LeBron James by playing alongside his teenage son.
Everton defender Ashley Young described that potential moment as a “dream come true” as he opened up on his hopes to take to the field in the same match as his 18-year-old lad.
Young has no immediate plans to hang up his boots as he looks to make history with his teenage sonGetty
It’s a dream that became reality for LeBron, aged 39, and his 20-year-old son Bronny this month in a pre-season 118-114 loss against the Phoenix Suns.
Young’s son, Tyler, currently plays for Peterborough United who sit 12th in League One.
The year he was born saw Young Snr help Watford to Premier League promotion after finishing third and progressing to the play-off final to beat Leeds United 3-0.
During the most memorable season of Young’s career, lifting the Premier League title with Manchester United under Sir Alex Ferguson, Tyler was six years old.
The top flight veteran, who has made 718 appearances and is playing in the 22nd season of his career, told the talkSPORT Breakfast: “I’m hoping and praying that it could be in the next couple of years.
“To play alongside him or play against him would be unbelievable.
“Obviously to play alongside my son would be a dream come true. You see LeBron in basketball. I’ve done my homework, it hasn’t been done since 1980 I think, which is obviously a long time ago.”
Young recalled the moment he knew his son was ready for the professional game – when he was savagely taken out by him during a friendly match.
“Every summer we’ll play an 11-a-side game against each other with our friends,” Young said.
“And it’s getting more and more competitive where a lot of his friends will come, mum and dad, my wife, loads of people will come and watch.
Tyler Young currently plays for League One club Peterborough United – two tiers below his fatherRex
LeBron,39, and Bronny, 20, James both play for NBA outfit LA LakersGetty
“So we were beating them, of course, we beat them every year, but you know when your son looks up to absolutely take you out and I mean, come through the back of me…
“I went up in the air and landed on the ground.
“He stood over me just looking down at me and I didn’t have anything to say. I thought, ‘Wow, he’s actually ready, he wants to play’.”
In reply to Breakfast host, and former Aston Villa teammate, Gabby Abonglahor suggesting a few father and son shoulder barges, Young replied: “There’ll be plenty of that, don’t worry about that.
“I’d pinch him or slap him over the head.”
As his son is a central midfielder, Young also revealed that he would ask Sean Dyche to “let me play centre midfield against him”.
Be careful what you wish for, Ashley!
