Fabian Delph

[johnmc]

Couldn't Dinho have taken that role tho? Better to move a current start to backup. Dinho and Delph are very similar players as well so it makes no sense to have them both on the bench,

Possibly. I think Dinho could do a better job a little further up if he wasn't asked to play the defensive midfielder. In a 3 of course.

 

[Vienna_70]

Good signing, especially at £8 million, if that's true.

What's the betting he'll take squad No. 7?

 

[markbmcfc]

If there's one thing I've felt our midfield has needed in recent times, it's legs.

Yaya is another year older, Fernandinho can't do it all himself and Fernando is Fernando.

Delph gives us mobility in midfield that we don't have, replaces Franks HG place and cost us net £5m after Sinclair left.

Not at an exciting signing, but an intelligent one.

The rest is up to him as to how good he wants to be.

 

[Deepest Blue]

Could he be the enforcer we've been missing for a couple of seasons but one who can be reasonably creative also?
I reckon he'll be a steal at the price quoted and be a great help in the more physical matches.

 

[waspish]

As @tolmie's hairdoo once said, "Thats what we need to compete with the Real Madrids, Barcas and Munichs of this world"

last time I looked no team has 11 world class players never mind 18

 

[ninjamonkey]

No-one wanted Delph prior to the window and even if he's a decent squad player no-one wanted us to sign more squad players.

But since it's likely to happen we, like any set of fans, are trying our best to make it a very good signing. Economically it might be but on the pitch is it?. Comparisons to Lescott and Barry, unfancied 'unsung' players, may be valid but they were also one of the main reasons we couldn't get out of the group stages of the CL. I like Lescott and Barry and am grateful for their efforts in winning domestic silverware, but as is the case with most English players, they found their level in the group stages.

The difference is, the last few years we've been buying squad players to fit in our starting 11. Delph will get plenty of games but he's not coming in as first choice, he's coming in as a squad player.

 

[Burtonblue]

Likes a tackle this lad.
He will be a red card magnet in a City shirt I fear...

 

[johnmc]

Likes a tackle this lad.
He will be a red card magnet in a City shirt I fear...

Two yellows last season I think.

 

[fatbloke]

You can have the most technically gifted midfield in the world but what's the point if you can't get the ball back?

Yeah I know people are sick of me slating Yaya's lack of work rate but I believe it's been our biggest failing, not just in the Champions League but also domestically. Delph addresses that failing, is home grown and at £8m represents a great bit of business. Use the big money for the players who can win you the games.

 

[pudge]

If all these supposed shrewd and intelligent signings of good quality players were just that, we'd be sorted.

I remember when Fernando was the answer to our midfield defensive duties and a shrewd signing at £12m.

 

[Vienna_70]

Two yellows last season I think.

But he played for Villa, not City, last season.

Surely you know by now that our players are carded for the slightest thing.

 

[Burtonblue]

Two yellows last season I think.

Yeah, that was in a Villa shirt.
Will be interesting to see how much more evil he will become now he has joined us.

 

[johnmc]

Yeah, that was in a Villa shirt.
Will be interesting to see how much more evil he will become now he has joined us.

Got ya

 

[Bill]

i don't think he's good enough for where are at or where we are heading. I have said so previously. however, for the price along with being home grown he's a steal. miles better than the pathetic signings of Sinclair, Rodwell and co. the other thing I am impressed with is his confidence, he's prepared to go toe to toe with some of the best midfielders in the world for a starting berth, hope this goes through quickly and good luck to the lad in our shirt.

 

[Leech]

If there's one thing I've felt our midfield has needed in recent times, it's legs.

Yaya is another year older, Fernandinho can't do it all himself and Fernando is Fernando.

Delph gives us mobility in midfield that we don't have, replaces Franks HG place and cost us net £5m after Sinclair left.

Not at an exciting signing, but an intelligent one.

The rest is up to him as to how good he wants to be.

Agree with all that. He's also Villa captain and a good personality to insert into our - at times last season - seemingly languid midfield.

 

[markbmcfc]

^ agree.

 

[aguero93:20]

i don't think he's good enough for where are at or where we are heading. I have said so previously. however, for the price along with being home grown he's a steal. miles better than the pathetic signings of Sinclair, Rodwell and co. the other thing I am impressed with is his confidence, he's prepared to go toe to toe with some of the best midfielders in the world for a starting berth, hope this goes through quickly and good luck to the lad in our shirt.

Sinclair was cheaper, coming off the back of a better season with a higher finishing team, at a younger age.

 

[The Count Of Monte Cristo]

Of anyone wants an autograph they may head out now.

@mrtwiceaseason heads up

 

[I'm no cynic but...]

But he played for Villa, not City, last season.

Surely you know by now that our players are carded for the slightest thing.

According to Soccerway stats, it was one red and one yellow. The yellow was against the swamp dwellers when involved in a late season relegation struggle so that won't come as any great shock, the red was against Sunderland over Xmas. This came from 27 league starts.

 

[johnmc]

Sinclair was cheaper, coming off the back of a better season with a higher finishing team, at a younger age.

And he didn't improve at City. Plenty of players have. Delph may or may not. At £8m for a 25 year old if he doesn't improve and doesn't get game time we will recoup our outlay (at least) in a year or two.