Man City Square
Fansided

World Cup rankings: from 8 to 4

By James Fudge

KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 25: David Silva of Spain is challenged by Mbark Boussoufa of Morocco and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images)
KALININGRAD, RUSSIA - JUNE 25: David Silva of Spain is challenged by Mbark Boussoufa of Morocco and Achraf Hakimi of Morocco during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group B match between Spain and Morocco at Kaliningrad Stadium on June 25, 2018 in Kaliningrad, Russia. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next

The midfielder often used in a sparingly role for club and country was a consistent performer in the first Belgium fixture, while also performing admirably in the replay with greater meaning and tinged with sadness of what could had been.

MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 11: Gareth Southgate, Manager of England consoles Fabian Delph of England following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
MOSCOW, RUSSIA – JULY 11: Gareth Southgate, Manager of England consoles Fabian Delph of England following their sides defeat in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia Semi Final match between England and Croatia at Luzhniki Stadium on July 11, 2018 in Moscow, Russia. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) /

Much of the decision to rank him above Sergio Aguero, Gabriel Jesus and Nicolas Otamendi was purely on the positive performances aspect and the lack of negativity surrounding him while in Russia.

Fabian Delph failed to feature in the other games for England and the versatile player took the opportunity to fly home during the middle of the tournament to see his wife give birth to their third child (Congratulations!!).

Much debate was used on his selection when the Gareth Southgate and England announced their squad, however he warranted England’s manager decision to include him above adaptability game changers.

And many people called for him to start in the defeat against Croatia, in place of Dele Ali and Jesse Lingard. England were overrun by the quality of Luka Modric, Ivan Rakitic and Marcelo Brozović in midfield with Delph possibly offering the defending and pressing qualities required to continue the control after 60 minutes. The time where Croatia took control.

Who knows if that tactic would had made any difference to the campaign. I guess we will never know now.