Everton: 5 Everton players Rafa Benitez needs to offload

3. Fabian Delph

Fabian Delph was signed from Manchester City for £8.5 million plus add ons in 2019. Marco Silva wanted to sign a midfielder who can be the leader in the engine room and given that Delph had won two back to back Premier League titles with City, he could help instill a champion mentality in the side while helping the young stars in the team.

However, it’s not how the move worked out. The Englishman has had one of the worst injury spells of his career and has struggled to be a part of the Everton team for an extended period. Delph has been out for such long periods that it was no longer noticeable that he wasn’t even a part of the squad.

In his two seasons at Goodison Park, the 31 year old has missed 39 games due to injuries, amounting to 291 days of missed action over two years. Ironically, Delph has missed more games as an Everton player than he’s been a part of, playing just 30 games since signing for the Toffees.

Fitness issues and niggles have miserably plagued Delph’s Everton career and it appears that the time has run out to revive his form and salvage something in Merseyside. Last season, the Toffees signed Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure, who sparkled in their respective roles and added much needed energy to the midfield.

Tom Davies’ metamorphosis under Ancelotti was spectacular, stepping in Allan’s role when the Brazilian was out due to hamstring injury, which saw the 23 year old earn the title of ‘Scouse Pirlo’.

Now that Jean-Philippe Gbamin is finally fit and is eager to show the Toffee fans his abilities, Delph’s time seems to be coming to an end at Goodison Park. The vocal Delph who was did an excellent job while playing as a makeshift left back for Pep Guardiola now seems a distant memory.

While Allan and Doucoure remain the best central midfielders in the team, Gbamin and Davies will be ahead of the Yorkshireman in the pecking order, raising serious questions over his playing time. With his deal expiring in 2022, parting ways this season could be the best outcome for all parties involved.

Everton may receive at least some sum of money and Delph could turn the Everton page and start afresh elsewhere.