Sport
DOES DELPH MOVE TO MAN CITY SIGNAL END OF HIS CAREER?
It’s 1st July 2016 and the summer transfer window has officially opened. Manchester City have failed to grasp the Premier League title from Chelsea and Manuel Pellegrini has been dismissed. Fabian Delph, who joined the club last summer, has played a handful of league games and has been linked with a move to Stoke City. Okay, so this may be a little far-fetched but the Aston Villa captain could well be giving up his career if he makes the move to the Etihad Stadium in the coming weeks.
The Aston Villa captain played an integral role in his side’s success last season, leading his team to their first FA Cup final since the 1999-2000 campaign. Tim Sherwood actually labelled Delph as the ‘best midfielder in the country’ after his performances helped Villa improve drastically since the turn of the year. The 25-year-old received his first England call-up last term and was an integral part of Roy Hodgson’s squad in the European Championship qualifying matches throughout the campaign.
There is no doubt that the 25-year-old is talented. In fact, nobody has ever tried to deny that. Delph’s energy and stamina in the middle of the park will be welcomed at the Etihad Stadium, particularly after workhorse James Milner made the journey down the M62 to Liverpool earlier in the transfer window. However, the Villa captain is also exceptionally skilful and he has the vision and ability to unlock opposing defences with inch-perfect passes. Tim Sherwood’s side will miss him in the centre of the park this term, while Manchester City could profit from Delph’s vibrant performances in the midfield.
But we’ve seen it all before. On countless occasions, Manchester City have signed promising English players but restricted these future stars to cameo roles off the bench. Scott Sinclair, Jack Rodwell and Adam Johnson all arrived at the Etihad Stadium with high hopes but were forced to move on after they were overlooked by the club. Even Micah Richards, who played 179 Premier League matches for City, was forced out. The full-back is just 27 years old but racked up just seven domestic appearances for the Blues since 2012 prior to his release in June 2015.
Scott Sinclair arrived at the club after impressing for Swansea City but played just 190 minutes of Premier League football under Roberto Mancini before he was sent out on loan to West Bromwich Albion. City signed Jack Rodwell from Everton for a fee of £12 million but, like Sinclair, failed to cut it at the Etihad Stadium. Rodwell played 25 matches in all competitions during his time at City, with 15 of those coming off the bench. Finally, Adam Johnson fared a little better but not by much. As the winger was entering his prime, City looked elsewhere after 97 appearances in all competitions for the club.
At 25 years old, it would be harsh to tar Delph’s move with the same brush. Manchester City are not purchasing Delph because he has shown signs of youthful promise but due to his Premier League experience and natural ability. This is a player that is entering the prime of his career and is ready to make the next step as he seeks to showcase his talents at the very highest level. Fabian Delph may not be your typical household name in the sport, and he will never rank alongside Steven Gerrard, Frank Lampard and Paul Scholes as one of the all-time top flight midfielder, but he’s certainly talented and deserves his opportunity at the Etihad Stadium. Only time will tell if he receives a fair chance or if City’s ruthless streak strikes yet another promising English midfielder.
