Fabian Delph - Signed for Manchester City

[KRS]

If Delph does leave as seems certain

Since when has it become a certainty? Last I heard it was just another speculative rumour created by one media outlet and doing the rounds from one to the next. I think Delph is more likely to stay than Benteke but both are under contract and are far from certain to go anywhere.

[pauliewalnuts]

As I say I fully expect them to add some, but only players who can improve their first 18, it's the idea that they'd sign HG players who don't even get into the matchday squad just for the quota that I'm arguing against.

I suppose the problem that City will face, will be finding HG players who will improve their match-day 18. Sterling and Delph (debatable) aside, who else can they realistically get?

Exactly my point, even if I've not made it well over the last couple of pages.

I guess that's the flip side of being able to buy loads of lavishly gifted players from clubs all over the world, when they actually try to buy homegrown, they struggle to find any who'd actually contribute more than just being homegrown.

Delph is a great player, but how many games would he get there? He's "great" by our standards, but he is nothing like that by theirs.

[brontebilly]

This is the article I was on about. Oh what could have been...

James Milner article

Also a timely reminder that his best form in a Villa shirt came from Dec-May in his last season, he was a typical run all day on the wing type player before then and since. Never understand the adulation he gets on here compared to the likes of Barry and Young who delivered far more for us. Downing had a similar purple patch for half a season for us but is roundly abused.

If Delph does leave as seems certain, he will be a far more wealthier man but his first choice starting midfield spot at the Euros could be under threat due to lack of regular football. Would love if he stayed but moving from perennial relegation battlers to perennial title contenders is a no brainer really. He has a lot to be thankful to Paul Lambert for, many managers would have sold Delph off to a championship club when he was really struggling.

In what way is Delph certainly leaving?

Downing gets stick because he was/is a massive wimp.

Young gets stick because he dives a lot. I hated it when he was playing for us. He has painted his own target on his back.

All the goals and assists in a Villa shirt didnt water down that hatred for Young?

Downing is certainly lacking in the courage dept but had a very good spell in the McDonald/Houllier/McAllister season.

We doubled our money on both players, Young particularly delivered on the pitch for us consistently over four seasons. Bizarre

there is an inevitability about both Benteke and Delph's transfers unfortunately, we have been through this with Barry, Milner, Young, Downing et al

Delph could have come out over last week or so to say he has just signed a new contract and wants to stay, he hasnt though has he? A lot of transfer noise tends to come out around the time of the end of season international games. Delph played well again for England, City are starved of English players and midfielders, Delph is available for a reasonable fee etc. Ticks a lot of boxes and Id be stunned if this was an unfounded rumour.

Hope Benteke goes somewhere better than Liverpool, thought the likes of United and better clubs in Europe would have been publicly interested in him. Juventus having lost Tevez need a forward, could be the ideal club for him or Athletico Madrid with Mandzukic looking to leave.

[exigo]

Hatred of the players, yes, for leaving when we were so close to getting to the next level. But, also hatred for the lack of succession management – the fact that we didn't have decent players lined up for when they left. That for me is what have allowed teams like Swansea and Southampton to drift past us – they sell a player for £10m, £20, £30m and have already lined up an exciting replacement. Even if Delph and Benteke do leave, I honestly think we've got better talent scouts and systems in place, as the recent spraying of cash bids around Europe would intimate.

[PaulWinch again]

I had no problem with Ashley Young really, although his dive for a penalty against us wasn't great. But he gave us a number of years good service, didn't appear to angle for a move at any stage, he went for a good fee and he's always spoken respectfully about us.

[PeterWithesShin]

The diving is the only thing I have against Young. Pissed me off when he was with us, after one of his theatrical falls, if you heard someone shout "get up you fucking tart" it could well have been me.

And my issue with Barry has always been that NOTW article. I'll always think he's wanker for doing that.

[villadelph]

...and the fact like he celebrates against us like he's never worn the shirt.

Young can do one.

[KRS]

If this Delph story really had any genuinue legs to it then surely Pete Colley would have taken the opportunity to question TS about it today along with the question re:Benteke. Considering the source of this story is a purely media created rumour then I really don't think its worth everyone jumping to conclusions about his future being elsewhere (not in this transfer window at least).

[Walmley_Villa]

Well at least Delph was at Bodymoor today - also Tonev and Libor training.

[Dave]

Hope Benteke goes somewhere better than Liverpool, thought the likes of United and better clubs in Europe would have been publicly interested in him. Juventus having lost Tevez need a forward, could be the ideal club for him or Athletico Madrid with Mandzukic looking to leave.

No dice on those two. Juventus have signed Dybala from Palermo and Mandzukic.

Athletico have replaced him with Jackson Martinez from Porto and Luciano Vietto from Villareal.

[john e]

Hope Benteke goes somewhere better than Liverpool, thought the likes of United and better clubs in Europe would have been publicly interested in him. Juventus having lost Tevez need a forward, could be the ideal club for him or Athletico Madrid with Mandzukic looking to leave.

No dice on those two. Juventus have signed Dybala from Palermo and Mandzukic.

Athletico have replaced him with Jackson Martinez from Porto and Luciano Vietto from Villareal.

how do you know all this stuff about players from all over Europe, ive never heard of hardly any of them yet you always seem to know everything about every team

is it a hobby of yours or just q quick google search every time,
genuine question I am honestly gobsmacked at how much info you know about football around europe

[Dave]

Too much time wasted on FIFA 15 and reading stuff online, combined with a brain that seems to retain very little apart from football and film trivia.

[john e]

Too much time wasted on FIFA 15 and reading stuff online, combined with a brain that seems to retain very little apart from football and film trivia.

that's good, i've a brain that forgets everything

I just left my debit card in the in house banking machine at Barclays
this is a regular thing repeated at least one time every month

[brontebilly]

The diving is the only thing I have against Young. Pissed me off when he was with us, after one of his theatrical falls, if you heard someone shout "get up you fucking tart" it could well have been me.

And my issue with Barry has always been that NOTW article. I'll always think he's wanker for doing that.

Ah here, Gareth Barry was pound for pound probably the best player at the club since Yorke or McGrath. Surely you can excuse a silly NOTW interview and look at a guy who came to the club at 16/17 and played 441 games for the club, scoring 52 goals. Another player who we ended up getting decent cash for and he went to be a key player for City winning two league titles. Still a fine player with Everton.

Hope Benteke goes somewhere better than Liverpool, thought the likes of United and better clubs in Europe would have been publicly interested in him. Juventus having lost Tevez need a forward, could be the ideal club for him or Athletico Madrid with Mandzukic looking to leave.

No dice on those two. Juventus have signed Dybala from Palermo and Mandzukic.

Athletico have replaced him with Jackson Martinez from Porto and Luciano Vietto from Villareal.

Wow, both have done their business quickly. Surprised Athletico went for Martinez, four years older than Benteke and for about the same money

[wozwebs]

Young lad on Twitter was waiting around BH after training and asked Delph if he was staying. Refused to answer. Had photo with him. Hardly the "this is my club" kind of attitude shown less than 6 months ago. Do hope he stays of course but if he'd rather play half a season on £100k a week then let him go.