Why Manchester City should offer a new contract to Fabian Delph
According to the Sun, Manchester City are set to open talks with Fabian Delph to extend his stay at the Etihad. With only 18 months left in his current deal, City will not want to let go of a player who fills their quota of a home-grown member. The 29-year-old has started 11 times for the Cityzens this season in all competitions while also coming on as a substitute on six occasions.
Delph moved to Manchester City from Aston Villa after his £8million release clause was triggered in 2015 and took the number 18 shirt, previously worn by Frank Lampard. He found it difficult to cement a place in Manuel Pellegrini’s side, only managing eight starts in the league in his first season.
The 2017/18 campaign was the best in his City career when he started 21 times for Pep Guardiola’s side in the league. The Englishman was deployed at left-back after the long-term injury to Benjamin Mendy and his performances were surprisingly good. City ended up winning the league comfortably that season.
In that stellar campaign, Delph averaged 2.1 tackles, 1.6 clearances and 1.4 interceptions per game in a role completely new to him. In his eight starts in the league this season, he has maintained the 2.1 tackles, 1.5 clearances and has 1.2 interceptions per game. In both seasons, Delph has maintained a successful pass success rate of over 90%, something which is key to Guardiola’s style of play. (WhoScored)
If Delph does decide to leave, the champions will have to sign a player who will satisfy The FA’s rule on home-grown players. The club has to fill in this quota beyond the 17 non-homegrown players. City’s current home-based stars include Raheem Sterling, Kyle Walker, Phil Foden, and John Stones alongside Delph. Losing any of these players will prove to be a massive problem for them, let alone the latter.
Delph offers a number of different options to Guardiola with the former Leeds United man capable of playing anywhere across the midfield and also at left back. If he is willing to play a bit part role in order to win trophies, City is the place for him.
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An offer will be made by the club to make the player stay. They will be aiming to buy a new left-back, preferably Ben Chilwell in the summer, but that shouldn’t be the case-in-point for Delph to leave. The ex-Aston Villa man offers plenty to this team on and off the pitch.
