Fabian Delph - Signed for Manchester City

[Dave]

Delph always strikes me as football who has the intelligence to see from the likes of Scott Sinclair that moving to a club like City doesn't necessarily provide a boost to a player's career.

It didn't really ruin it though either, did it?

He had a couple of decent years at Swansea (one in a lower division), moved to Man City, gave it a go and when it didn't work out he then moved on to a bigger club than the one that he left in order to join Man City in the first place.

Like spending a couple of years at Chelsea didn't really ruin Steve Sidwell's career. Picked up more money and a couple of medals and was still able to move from there to a top six club which would have been the alternative at the time when leaving Reading.

[Malandro]

Delph always strikes me as football who has the intelligence to see from the likes of Scott Sinclair that moving to a club like City doesn't necessarily provide a boost to a player's career.

It didn't really ruin it though either, did it?

He had a couple of decent years at Swansea (one in a lower division), moved to Man City, gave it a go and when it didn't work out he then moved on to a bigger club than the one that he left in order to join Man City in the first place.

Like spending a couple of years at Chelsea didn't really ruin Steve Sidwell's career. Picked up more money and a couple of medals and was still able to move from there to a top six club which would have been the alternative at the time when leaving Reading.

Also just because a few players haven't made the grade, he might think he has the ability to do it (or has been promised games)

[PaulWinch again]

But if they did, you still believe he'll stay ?

Yes. I trust him. What he said when he signed the contract goes above and beyond what he needed to say. That we're in a year when players are competing for places at the Euros also changes things slightly as well.

He'd be an idiot to leave and I don't think he's an idiot.

Delph will be a Villa player on the 1st of September 2015 (or whatever is the day after the window shuts). Mark my words.

Of course it was above and beyond what was needed to say. But ultimately if he was absolutely certain of staying why insert the clause at all. Assuming that clause exists and what's been written about it is true then it wasn't a relegation release clause. So he wanted that clause to be in place even if we survived relegation and that implies he probably would be off if the clause is activated. As I say it's all guess work, but if that clause exists there is a reason it's there.

[passitsideways]

Delph always strikes me as football who has the intelligence to see from the likes of Scott Sinclair that moving to a club like City doesn't necessarily provide a boost to a player's career.

It didn't really ruin it though either, did it?

He had a couple of decent years at Swansea (one in a lower division), moved to Man City, gave it a go and when it didn't work out he then moved on to a bigger club than the one that he left in order to join Man City in the first place.

Like spending a couple of years at Chelsea didn't really ruin Steve Sidwell's career. Picked up more money and a couple of medals and was still able to move from there to a top six club which would have been the alternative at the time when leaving Reading.

Yep, you can see why players give the top club a go, even though they mightn't be cut out for it. I was thinking about the Norwegian kid, Odegaard, moving to Real Madrid and a lot of people questioning the wisdom of that given how absurdly high their standards are. He gets to maximise his wages, receive the very best coaching out there, and when he gets farmed out on loan/eventually dumped, he'll still probably end up at a decent, mid-table team anyway.

[RussellC]

Delph always strikes me as football who has the intelligence to see from the likes of Scott Sinclair that moving to a club like City doesn't necessarily provide a boost to a player's career.

It didn't really ruin it though either, did it?

He had a couple of decent years at Swansea (one in a lower division), moved to Man City, gave it a go and when it didn't work out he then moved on to a bigger club than the one that he left in order to join Man City in the first place.

Like spending a couple of years at Chelsea didn't really ruin Steve Sidwell's career. Picked up more money and a couple of medals and was still able to move from there to a top six club which would have been the alternative at the time when leaving Reading.

Neither move 'ruined' their careers, but they certainly changed the trajectory. I always thought that an extended period without first-team footballer, for a player in their early 20s, must be massively detrimental. Yes, Sidwell's gone on to have a solid Premiership career, but most people would have expected to him to go on to be an England International after his first season in the Premiership with Reading. Similarly, Scott Sinclair looked to be destined for much bigger things than warming our bench when he broke through at Swansea.

[KRS]

If we're being honest about it, we all have a natural desire to improve and do the best for ourselves particularly when it comes to your career. A footballers career is high profile and short lived so they are more likely to have the inclination to move for higher wages and success on the pitch as these opportunities may not come round again. The players need to make these decisions from a purely selfish perspective, particularly when they could suffer a career threatening injury at any time. As much as I hate to admit it, you really can't blame a player for taking an opportunity of increased wealth and success, and a reduction in time on the pitch has to be a risk worth taking...or it could simply viewed as getting more for doing less so its a win win situation for the player.

[villan from luton]

But if they did, you still believe he'll stay ?

Yes. I trust him. What he said when he signed the contract goes above and beyond what he needed to say. That we're in a year when players are competing for places at the Euros also changes things slightly as well.

He'd be an idiot to leave and I don't think he's an idiot.

Delph will be a Villa player on the 1st of September 2015 (or whatever is the day after the window shuts). Mark my words.

Of course it was above and beyond what was needed to say. But ultimately if he was absolutely certain of staying why insert the clause at all. Assuming that clause exists and what's been written about it is true then it wasn't a relegation release clause. So he wanted that clause to be in place even if we survived relegation and that implies he probably would be off if the clause is activated. As I say it's all guess work, but if that clause exists there is a reason it's there.

Maybe he wanted the clause in case we had another summer of doing sod all and the prospect of just another relegation struggle. Hopefully that will not be the case. 

[YamYamVilla]

If Citeh come in for Delph, as a player you would have to back yourself to get in their first XI, I hope the reported clause was relegation related, I hope he stays, but can totally understand if he wanted to move on, we have been shite for years! UTV !

[old man villa fan]

I know he said what he did when he signed his contract, and I'm sure he meant it at the time, but I wouldn't blame him if he left. He will treble his pay, get a juicy signing on fee and secure his family's future until the 22nd century.

Or stay for our relegation struggle and play for England for 3 games this time next year. He might not even do that if another unheard of Spurs player emerges next Spring.

Te-ra-a-bit Fabian.

If the release clause exists and it's not qualified to relegation, he could leave at anytime. Why jump ship now when he could wait a year or more to keep his reputation intact. You could say that he might not get an offer in 12 months time but that would mean he would have had a really poor season and in which case, if he went, he would have been sitting on the bench at best.

[silhillvilla]

Thing is a 1 year delay in a football career is like a 4 year delay in any "normal" job.

[warleyboy]

I'm hoping that we can sort out visa and have Gueye with team for Portuguese tour.
Also get Amavi signed up this week and even push out boat and grab Praet.

I'm then hoping Delph fancies a season with some new and quality midfielders, remove his silly clause, if it is so ridiculously small and move on.
Fingers crossed Tekkers see's this too, again remove that clause, because another season is all we will get from him, with big money move after euro's.

[stuart445]

You're right £33.5 million is peanuts we should have put a buyout clause the same cost as Cristiano Ronaldo or Bale maybe

[LeeB]

You're right £33.5 million is peanuts we should have put a buyout clause the same cost as Cristiano Ronaldo or Bale maybe

Yes, of course, but then if you do that he might not want to sign the contract in the first place, so you need to come to something of a compromise.
I don't think it's a particularly low fee anyway, given it was come to when the player had just had a first good season after a £7m transfer.

[stuart445]

You're right £33.5 million is peanuts we should have put a buyout clause the same cost as Cristiano Ronaldo or Bale maybe

Yes, of course, but then if you do that he might not want to sign the contract in the first place, so you need to come to something of a compromise.
I don't think it's a particularly low fee anyway, given it was come to when the player had just had a first good season after a £7m transfer.

That wasn't a dig at you Lee, Dave yes I have criticized Benteke (as has a lot of people). Whilst I agree Benteke is a excellent player but he does tend to go missing for large parts of the season good end to his 1st season, ok 2nd injury aside he wasn't exactly setting the world alight pre injury and a excellent end to his 3rd season. 

[Kevin Dawson]

If 49 goals in 101 games involves going missing for chunks of 3 seasons, then we need to sign more like him. Injuries, playing when not fully fit, and playing in one of the most boring teams in the league for 3 years, and yet he still averages 1 in 2......what more do you want?