Bournemouth’s Sylvain Distin proud to fly the flag for elder statesmen
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Bournemouth defender Sylvain Distin has hit back at critics claiming he is too old to cut it at the highest level.
The 38-year-old French centre back joined the Cherries in July last year after a six-year spell at Everton and insists that while he is in the twilight of his career his age has no bearing on his ability to perform his duties on the pitch.
“People always try to look at something to remind you of your age and I always say the same – people can say whatever they want. I am 38, I am still in the Premier League and there are not many players who are doing that,” he told the Daily Echo.
“People don`t like to see (the positives), they like to see the bad side of it. That`s not a problem to me. I can speak about my age without any problem. I am really proud of what I am doing, the work I am doing and my team-mates and my manager. That is what matters.”
Former Newcastle, Manchester City and Portsmouth man Distin has featured in 16 games for the Cherries this season and expects to feature heavily as his team aim to beat the drop.
Next up for the Seasiders is a trip to Watford for which Eddie Howe’s side are billed as underdogs.
The in-form Hornets go into the tie as 13/10 favourites, with the draw on at 21/10 and an away win priced at 11/5.
As far as Distin is concerned he will have done his job if the Cherries defence keep the likes of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo at bay and at just 5/2 to keep a clean sheet the veteran might fancy his chances.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
