Fabian Delph, 25 and an English born central midfield player at the centre of controversy over an £8 million pound transfer to Manchester City from Aston Villa.
Originally from the North, Bradford born and a registered footballer at the Bradford City Centre of excellence, it wasn’t long before a ‘bigger’ club approached the talented left footed youngster.
At the age of 11, Leeds United signed Delph. Neil Thompson, Leeds United academy manager stated Delph was:
“The best player I’ve ever worked with, he took your breath away, he made you speechless”.
Rising through the ranks, sometimes playing down an age group due to his slight frame, he continued to develop at an outrageous speed. Turning heads within the clubs hierarchy and further afield with his skill, energy and application from the centre of the pitch Delph was gaining a reputation. One of his many admirers from within the club was Gary McCallister, a club legend and first team manager. So much of an admirer that Delph was invited to train with the first team squad, Thompson recalls that Delph made some of the first team squad look “Silly”. Delph not only had boundless energy, it was his undoubted skill, game intelligence and attitude which propelled him to new heights from within the clubs framework.
Fabian Delph went on to play 53 games from Leeds United, scoring 6 goals. In the 2008/09 season he was voted football league young player of the year. It was only a matter of time before he was destined to become a Premier League Footballer. Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur voted their interest in the youngster but it was Aston Villa who cemented a bid in the region of £6-8 million with add on’s, strange figures when you compare it to his latest transfer fee!
Between 2009-2012 Fabian Delph made 33 appearances for Aston Villa FC due to a succession of injuries and loss of form Delph, the fans and everyone associated within the club grew frustrated with his lack of involvement. Delph returned to Elland Road for a brief 5 game period on loan, to gather some much needed match practice. The 5 games reunited with the famous white shirt seemed to ignite his confidence on the pitch. Back in favour, fit and in form Delph went on to make 68 appearances for the Villa in back to back seasons. Winning the trust and heart of the fans with his passion and drive from the middle zone of the pitch.
Delph was again realising his promising potential and England Scouts continued to monitor his progress. “More pace and drive than Paul Gascoigne, Fabian could be on the verge of something special” is how Aston Villa manager described Delph as he earned his first call up to Roy Hodgeson’s England squad. A big statement from a man who tried to sign Delph for Tottenham moments before his dismissal in North London. Delph made his England debut away to Switzerland and stamped his mark on the international scene with a solid and balanced display on the left side of a diamond midfielder. Providing drive and energy to the England set up next to the technically gifted Jack Wilshere and the hard working Jordan Henderson, Delph through the misfortune of other companions injuries, suspensions and retirements or so called ‘bigger players’ Delph has cemented his England spot in recent times; “Roy loves him” exclaimed Sherwood.
So, what attributes does Delph possess? What has propelled him to the heights of an England regular?
Fabian Delph was once held back because of his slight frame. Those within the game now speak about Delph’s strength when in contact with an opponent, his ability to hold off players with good technique and body shape. At 5’8 his low centre of gravity gives in, an advantage against taller players in tussles and during the acceleration phase when he is bursting away from the traffic. When watching Fabian Delph I can’t help being impressed with the way he corners the ball from deep into attacking areas of the pitch, although not an effective dribbler by any stretch, he can still run well with the ball.
Carrying the ball helps break defensive lines and helps push his team up the pitch. Always trying to play forward off the front foot, Delph has similar attributes to Jack Wilshere, the Arsenal man like Delph looks to commit other midfield players into challenges and tries to link the play with attacking players in the format of a ‘Wall Pass’. With his ranging running pattern, Delph has no problem getting around the pitch, box to box comfortably for 90 minutes.
Aggressive with his pressing, he has picked up his fair share of yellow cards during his career and has been mentioned in the same breath as Paul Scholes for his tendency to miss-time some tackles!
So where is Delph’s best position?
Having followed his career closely, in my opinion Delph is a classic ‘Number 8’ box to box midfielder player who is best suited in the middle of the pitch. With a solid range of passing and good use of the ball in tight spaces Delph’s primary role is to supply the players in front of him with the ball. Could Delph play Number 4 (quarterback/holding midfielder)?
For me, no. A few reasons, in possession he lacks the ability to hit deep penetrative passes, he is more suited to passes under 30 yards. Out of possession he has too much energy for this role, which requires a cool head and discipline. I feel he would vacate this position too often leaving a gaping hole in the number 10 area for clever attacking players to exploit. Delph has shown he is flexible at times playing on the left side of the midfield; suited more to a hard working left midfielder role which players like James Miller have made famous, Delph would lack the qualities in 1v1 situations to present a problem to the modern day full backs who are very quick and agile in the defensive phase.
Fabian Delph is a player who you would want on your team rather than on the opposition, as a midfield player myself. Playing against him would limit your time and space in possession and force you into basic errors in a crucial area of the pitch. Every team needs a player in the mould of Delph to add balance, energy, drive and leadership from the centre of the pitch.
Man City, a good move?
Aston Villa fans will feel hurt and betrayed, I feel their pain and understand their frustrations. As a neutral and a fan of football, my first impressions were one of disappointment when I heard Fabian Delph had signed for Manchester City.
I can say the same regarding the transfer of young Patrick Roberts from Fulham FC to the Etihad, although his situation is different, for me he had made that move 7 years too early and this might be the end of Patrick Roberts, in my opinion, who along with Dan Crowley of Arsenal is one of the hottest youth prospects in the country. Delph however is entering his prime years as a midfielder (25-29).
For £8 million pounds, Delph could potentially be the signing of the season. Aston Villa have made no money on Delph when they brought him from Leeds as a teenager, ludicrous when you think he has blossomed into an England regular.
So who is Delph competing with for a starting spot at Manchester City? Fernando, Fernandinho, Yaya Toure spring to mind. Silva and Nasri float around and can’t be compared to Delph. Structure wise the 2 Brazilians and the Ivorian tower above Delph, have broader shoulders and longer reaches. Fernando for me offers very little and slows the game down often, has no intention of breaking lines with penetrative passing or by running with the ball. Fernandinho offers more in that department but is ageing.
The criticism of Man City in Europe was that they lacked energy and discipline in central Midfield, with Yaya Toure the prime suspect with his gigantic ambling frame jogging instead or sprinting to cover vital spaces in the middle third. A meeting would have been held at Man City Head Quarters, talented identification scouts must have been summoned across Europe and South America looking for a midfield player who possesses energy, bite, drive, can carry the ball from deep, any names spring to mind? Vidal, Pogba… yes but how much £30-50 million… too expensive… Fabian Delph? How much? £8 million! “DEAL”.
The release clause of £8 million is quite frankly a mistake by Villa. In the current market £20 million would be more adequate. Man City must be rubbing their hands together, they have an England international on their books (much needed as it’s well documented) and for me, the more I think about it, he will play more than you think.
I can foresee Delph being rotated in and out of the team during the Premier League matches where Man City have a lot of ball possession, Delph is not a player who can unlock a defence and produce a moment of magic consistently therefore I see his involvement against the bottom half of the league minimal to say the least. My prediction is come the big Premier League games and Champions League games, Delph will be one of the first names on the team sheets.
Hi energy out of possession will assist City’s game plan in Europe – where they counter attack the opposition – offering much needed legs to assist the undoubtedly talented but lazy figure of Yaya Towe. Delph will be in a position to rest before those big encounters.
My final prediction is that Delph will accumulate 25+ games this season, which as an England supporter means we will see an energized Fabian Delph in the 3 lion’s shirt with better understanding of European football. As a neutral it is a win win situation, I cannot foresee Hodgson dropping Delph from the squad, Hodgson is a loyal manager, he has his favourites and Delph from what I gather is a certain to go to France if fit. The future can only tell if he goes onto to have a successful long period at Min City, no surprise if he becomes a real fans favourite during his time in Manchester and moves onto an even ‘bigger club’!
What is certain is that Fabian Delph is a talented individual whose passion and drive is infectious and I’ve enjoyed watching his progression from a distance. Good luck Fabian!
Ryan Byrne
R.B Coaching Ltd
