Manchester City’s Fabian Delph Captains England

SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Fabian Delph of England talks to the media during the England Press Conference on June 16, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images)
SAINT PETERSBURG, RUSSIA - JUNE 16: Fabian Delph of England talks to the media during the England Press Conference on June 16, 2018 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) /
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Fabian Delph has been announced as the Captain of the England for the friendly against USA.

Since signing for Manchester City back in July 2015 Fabian Delph has shown his real value by his willingness to undertake a huge variety of roles on the pitch for the benefit of the team. It is Guardiola who has seen the option of developing Delph as a utility player, partly in response to team injuries.

Delph has always considered his preferred position as a central midfielder, although whilst a youth player at Leeds United he played a number of games as left back. At Aston Villa he undertook primarily left midfield and central midfielder roles.

Delph is a 28 year old player, 29 in a couple of weeks, and is under contract at Manchester City until 30 June 2020. He joined City back in July 2015 for a fee of around £11 million,  a sum which was viewed as a bargain.

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Delph spent the majority of his 6 years at Aston Villa steadily growing his reputation, culminating in his best season in the year before he left.

At Manchester City his career has been interrupted by lengthy periods of injury. These injuries have left him at times on the fringes of the team and something of a squad rather than first team player.

Last season changed that as Delph relished the opportunity to deputise for the injured Benjamin Mendy at left back. He seized this chance and earned the right to be a member of the record breaking Centurions team.

These performances allowed Delph to clinch a place in the England team at the 2018 World Cup, where he made 4 appearances for the semi finalists.

He had been first capped by England back in 2014 but had struggled to become a regular England starter. And now Delph has been named Captain for the upcoming England friendly against USA at Wembley stadium.

Gareth Southgate, England Manager, said when announcing Delph as Captain that he has “outstanding leadership qualities”. And Delph himself suggested that being Captain whilst securing his 17th England Cap would be the highlight of his career.

Delph has made 268 career appearances to date, scoring 19 goals and making 11 assists. At Manchester City he has become a firm fans favourite with his honest and hard working appearances.

His infectious laugh and Huddersfield accent, coupled with his colourful language and passion on display throughout the Amazon All or Nothing documentary have only raised his profile further amongst fans.

Next. Benjamin Mendy Out For 6 Weeks. dark

Fabian Delph is proudly captaining England tomorrow and this is a reflection both of his hard work and upon Manchester City. We are delighted for Delph!