Peter Crouch is a columnist for Sportsmail
If you're good enough, you're old enough: that's what everyone says. When a talented young player emerges his age doesn't matter, people want to see him in the team.
So why, when you become older, is the assumption that you are no longer good enough? I have thought about that a lot following Derby's signing of Ashley Cole until the end of the season, as the first thing mentioned is the fact he is 38.
Ashley might be planning for the end of his career but, believe me, he hasn't moved to Pride Park to see out time.
The Championship is a ferocious league, physically demanding and it simply does not allow players the luxury of cruising through.
You certainly can't do that as a full-back. All the wingers in the Championship seem to be cut from the same mould. They are strong, aggressive and direct. The other week we played Brentford and Said Benrahma impressed.
I can't believe, though, some people think that is what Ashley would do. He might not have the speed of his peak years but physically he doesn't look any different and I'd say he weighs the same as he did when he was the best left back in the world.
Ashley Cole will not have signed for Derby with the view of just seeing out his playing career
He never got the credit he deserved. I was in the same England team as him for five years and nobody could match his consistency. Every time he turned up, he never dropped below a seven out of 10 performance but, still, he was booed at Wembley.
I understand he wasn't popular with opposition supporters, but I can only talk to you about the player I know and the qualities Cole will bring to Derby. Frank Lampard's team have a chance of winning promotion and he wouldn't jeopardise that just to do an old friend a favour.
Cole was rarely in trouble but, if he was, his pace would get him out of it. He might not be as quick now but his speed of thought won't have diminished and his understanding of the game will be valuable to the young players at Derby who are looking for guidance.
In some ways, you could say he is a better player now than when he was emerging at Arsenal. He knows the game inside out and just because he's in his late thirties does not mean modern football has passed him by.
He has never got the credit he deserves, and will still be desperate to impress at Derby County
When I look around the leagues, I see players who are well into their thirties who are thriving. James Milner, at 33, is playing a big part in Liverpool's drive to become champions. Glenn Murray is 35 but he's scoring goals every week for Brighton, whose club captain, Bruno, is 38.
Jermain Defoe, who was 36 in October, scored on his Rangers debut earlier this week and will net a hat-full in the Scottish Premier League over the next 18 months. These lads have a number of things in common with Ashley, mainly their fitness, professionalism and desire.
There shouldn't be a stigma about age with footballers. I'm 38 on Wednesday but I can assure you I'm still doing the same things in training that I did when I was 28. Your hunger and determination never leave you. It's why Ashley Cole has accepted one last challenge.
Cole, pictured right with Crouch and David Beckham in 2006, will be valuable to young players
Stamford Bridge was in full swing as Chelsea reached the Carabao Cup final and it was interesting to see one man in the middle of the celebrations.
Gonzalo Higuain's loan move had only been signed off the previous day but he was right in the mix as the players came off after they
