Fabian Delph signed for Everton from Manchester City in 2019
Back in 2019, when Everton’s spending spree was a common theme every summer transfer window, the Toffees signed Fabian Delph for £8.5 million plus £1.5 million in add-ons. Then Everton boss Marco Silva ticked the box of experience through Delph’s signing after acquiring relatively young players like Moise Kean, Jean-Philippe Gbamin and Alex Iwobi in the same window.
Delph joined the Toffees on the back of momentous career achievement, winning two back to back Premier League titles with Manchester City. While the other signings were there to provide youthful exuberance, Delph was picked to offer experience, stability and the champion mentality that had been brewing in him thanks to his four year trophy laden spell at Etihad.
Delph’s leadership qualities and his versatility were supposed to propel the Toffees but instead what ensued were two and a half years abject unproductivity and countless times on the treatment table. Since joining the Toffees, Delph has played 33 games for the club meanwhile missing a whopping number of 47 games due to injuries.
His exclusion from match day squads became less and less noticeable with passing time, his injuries were just new chapters in the tragicomedy that was making it harder and harder for fans to justify such type of signing. But there appears to be a ray of fresh hope, a fresh fire that has reignited Delph’s Everton career.
Doucoure’s injury exposed the lack of squad depth in the midfield
Sky came crashing down on Everton and Rafa Benitez when they discovered that Abdoulaye Doucoure joined the lengthy list of players on the treatment table, leaving the Toffees with paper thin depth. Replacing Doucoure is an arduous task, even more so, when the tireless workhorse is operating at full capacity and making a case for him to be considered as the best player of the season so far.
After a horrendous 5-2 defeat to Watford, a bounce back was desired by the ardent fans against Wolves but the team seemed lost in the first half. Gbamin was underwhelming and looked out of sync, Rafa Benitez brought on Delph and the narrative changed. The Toffees couldn’t salvage a positive result but they did have control over the play especially in the middle of the park.
Delph emerged as an unlikely option to cover for Doucoure. The former Manchester City man isn’t a combative midfielder with exceptional box to box qualities but what he’s comfortable at is carrying the ball and spraying the ball forward while also recovering the ball, giving Benitez’s midfield a new dimension.
After almost an eternity, fans were warming up to watch Delph. He did start the game against Tottenham Hotspur and finally, put up a praiseworthy performance. The 31 year old operated at the heart of the midfield with Allan enjoying a bit more freedom in an attacking sense while Delph patrolling the rearguard.
Fabian Delph could still be an important part of Rafa Benitez’s plans IF he manages to stay fit
The Englishman operated in the engine room with great aplomb and looked in his element – neat on the ball and threading passes with precision. Delph recorded a pass accuracy of 87% and threaded 10 long balls with 80% accuracy, the most by any outfield player on the pitch. On the defensive side, Delph won four duels, attempted and won three tackles, made two important interceptions and a total of six recoveries.
Not to forget he racked up all these stats in just 60 minutes of play as Benitez brought off the Yorkshire man, perhaps, it was the right decision not to overwork the player who has just returned from another lengthy injury.
Doucoure is expected to be back after the international break and will take his place in the midfield alongside his partner in crime, Allan. But, can Delph be entrusted to be an important squad option over the likes of Andre Gomes and Gbamin who have been inconsistent and struggled with their own injury niggles? The experience and skill set that Delph brings to the table is unmatched but his qualities have been often eclipsed by his terrible run of injuries.
His deal is expiring in the summer and chances of renewal are extremely dim at the moment. For over two and a half years he has been seen as a liability but this is his chance to redeem himself and bow out with his head held high, winning over the support of Goodison faithful.
Of course, that will only be possible if Delph manages to maintain his match fitness and remain in contention for selection. If misfortune strikes on him again, he’ll just go down as a bad piece of transfer business in the Farhad Moshiri era. But, Everton and Delph, both the camps will be wishing for a better conclusion.