Why Leeds United should pounce on the chance to sign Fabian Delph
According to The Times, Everton are prepared to accept offers for midfielder Fabian Delph this summer after the England international failed to establish himself as a regular fixture under Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti last season.
That news comes as a massive boost to Premier League newcomers Leeds United, who have been linked with a move for the 30-year-old in the ongoing transfer window. (h/t Daily Star)
The Whites have already roped in Rodrigo Moreno and Robin Koch as marquee signings to bolster their ranks following their promotion to the Premier League and are expected to conduct further business before the upcoming campaign gets underway.
Profile
Born in Bradford, Fabian Delph rose through the youth ranks of Leeds United and started his professional career at Elland Road before moving on to join Aston Villa in 2009.
The 30-year-old spent six seasons in the top-flight at Villa Park before earning a move to heavyweights Man City back in the summer of 2015. Delph was a key squad player as the Citizens won the Premier League title under Pep Guardiola during the 2017-18 season.
The midfielder eventually slipped down the pecking order at the Etihad, starting just 8 times during City’s 2018-19 PL triumph, before departing for Everton last summer. Delph had a stop-start debut season at Goodison Park, featuring 16 times in the league, with injuries partly stalling his progress.
Delph could provide Leeds with some much-needed PL experience
Leeds United don’t really have an awful lot of depth in their central midfield options beyond the likes of Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips. Both of them played a key role in the club’s promotion-winning campaign last term.
Adam Forshaw has considerable Premier League experience under his belt. But it remains to be seen how Bielsa opts to reintegrate him back into the setup. He has not played since September last year due to a long-term injury.
The Whites, of course, have talented youngsters like Pascal Struijk and Jamie Shackleton who will be looking to make a name for themselves in the top-flight. Stuart Dallas also proved himself to be a decent makeshift option as a central midfielder in the Championship last season.
However, the Premier League represents a massive step up, both in terms of quality and intensity. This means Leeds need more specialist depth in their midfield to rub shoulders with the best teams in English football.
Putting things into context, that is exactly where a seasoned campaigner and a former two-time PL winner like Fabian Delph could come in so handy for Marcelo Bielsa’s side. The England international might have struggled to make a big impact at Everton but his past track record at Aston Villa and Man City makes him a lucrative option for any promoted club.
Besides Forshaw and veteran playmaker Pablo Hernandez, Leeds hardly have another midfielder with PL experience. This is one of the key reasons why Delph’s return to Elland Road would hand a boost to the Whites.
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Plus, Delph is also more than capable of filling in at left-back, thus potentially offering Bielsa with experienced cover in more than one position.
Verdict
A veteran of 185 career appearances in the Premier League, Fabian Delph still has plenty to offer at age of 30. Leeds could have a proven performer on their hands if they manage to get a deal over the line for the midfielder this summer.
