Fabian Delph is the latest name to join the Manchester City summer transfer rumour as the search for English talent goes on.
A summer transfer window would now never be the same if Manchester City were not linked with a huge amount of players. However, during the 2015 summer transfer window so far, English players have been the centre of City’s transfer rumours. The Blues have been linked with various Englishman, with their constant pursuit of Raheem Sterling which is now beginning to reach its climax and the odd rumour that City may bid to lure Jack Wilshere away from the Emirates, it is clear that City this year are after English players this summer.
One name which has recently come to the surface is Fabian Delph of Aston Villa. Over this past week there has been rumours circulating about a £10 million move for the English midfielder. This was a name which not usually be associated with Manchester City, but with Sterling and Wilshere looking for high wages, Delph seems like the most suitable option for City due to Financial Fair Play and also allowing more funds to be directed towards other areas which need improving.
At the age of 25, Delph is someone who has a lot of Premier League experience making 107 appearances for Aston Villa following his transfer to The Villans in 2009. However, he has not been someone who has featured regularly in the various England sides up to first team level. Only making two appearances in the U19 and four appearances in the U21 England sides show he has not someone who has been favoured by the England selectors. However, after being picked for England at the start of the Euro 2016 qualifying campaign against Switzerland, his ability was put into the spotlight as he played the entirety of the 2-0 win against Switzerland last September. His lightning runs down the wings caused various problems for Switzerland and showing that he was winger/midfielder which England had dearly missed.
In terms of club form, Delph has been a crucial part of Aston Villa’s run in the FA Cup this season as Villa reached the final. The FA Cup however has been the only competition where Delph’s club form has stood out. Villa’s Premier League season has been a traumatic one; the club were on the brink of relegation until Tim Sherwood’s appointment as manager in February and he kept Villa in England’s top division. However, Villa’s play style had been so restricted, Delph was unable to fully show what he can do with the ball.
The signing of Delph would benefit Manchester City in various ways. The £10 million (although £8m is also being quoted) would benefit the club in terms of FFP and allow transfer funds in the summer to be diverted elsewhere. It would also benefit City’s home-grown player quota, with Joe Hart being the only major English player left in the squad after the departure of Richards and Milner. However, it all depends on whether City will have the Delph who was able to charge at a player when playing for England or the restrictive Delph that was present in Villa’s Premier League survival. Either way, this would be a very interesting signing for City.
