Delph for England

[Isa]

I didn't say it constitutes form, but given everyone sort of agrees that our midfield is not the strongest, then you would have thought that the latest bright young thing may have made more of an impression if he is being considered for England.

The same then could be argued about Ramsey not making much of an impact against us. I guess that still counts against his other performances too? 

[Diablo]

I think Delph has come on in major leaps and bounds this season but I fear the World Cup is coming a season too early for him. Hopefully he'll remain consistent this season and as some people have mentioned if he can add some goals to his game and improve at the rate he is doing who knows he might sneak it. It was certainly great to see him waltzing around the Chelsea midfield at the start of the season. He had a great game against Arsenal too but for me there was a point where he went around Lampard as if he wasn't there and I thought that there is the future and that there (lampard) is the past. I hope that's the case and he reaches his potential in a Villa shirt. Fingers crossed.

[brontebilly]

He has outplayed the likes of Huddlestone and Barkley in recent weeks in fairness to him. Hard to see him getting in ahead of Gerrard, Lampard, Carrick and Wilshere though. Hodgson seems to rate Cleverely highly and he can play in a few more positions than Delph.

Think Delph just needs to be patient. He could add some badly needed mobility to the English midfield options, dont think England will get away with playing 2 from Gerrard, Lampard and Carrick in the same midfield next summer. Delph could be a decent sub to come in when one of the older lads starts flagging in the Brazil heat.

Think at the moment he is struggling with the tactical smarts to be a top defensive midfielder while attacking wise he seems to lose his bearings around the 18 yard box. He is being forced to do too much because of how poor we are in midfield. If we had bought someone like Barry in the summer I think Delph would have been able to focus more on his own game rather than playing the roles of 2 - 3 players.

[Californian Villain]

Join Southampton.

[Matt Collins]

I think he's playing very well indeed and non partisan pundits do too

But he'd need to score and assist more (ie at all) and ideally be playing in a side that passed and moves better to really shine

[olaftab]

To get into Woy's team he need to secure a move to manciti or Manu and be part of the bigger squad and play Carling cup matches and now and than make the bench for a PL game. Easy. Others have done .....

[UK Redsox]

Why do people want him to be in the England squad ?

Its far better for Villa that he gets a few days rest

[Ron Manager]

He has been playing very well in the middle of the park. As good as anyone I would say. His problem is when he gets into attacking positions
he is not sure what to do next. As others have said he needs to score (and he doesnt) or create (which he also doesnt).

Our best player by a country mile this season though and that includes Benteke who needs to start moving through the gears before World Cup year.

I expect he will.

[Clampy]

Why do people want him to be in the England squad ?

Its far better for Villa that he gets a few days rest

I kind of agree in a way. It's just that he deserves to be in there ahead of some of the others.

[SashasGrandad]

Personally - I think he is not international quality - he looks good in our midfield because he is playing with others who are struggling.

He is good at what he does - but does not score or create - as others on this thread have already mentioned.

Delph is more akin to Lee Hendrie, Downing etc. - rather than Mortimer, Cowans, Milner, Barry, who were all worthy of England places

[supertom]

His disciplinary record may also be part of the decision not to call him up. He's got a bad challenge in him per game. He'll get yellows in the Prem, but as you often see in World Cups the laws can be stricter regarding tackling. Delphy could be liable to get himself sent off. Again it's that continual argument you get regarding aggressive players. How much of that do you curb, without affecting his style of playing?

[eastie]

@JamesNursey: Given Lambert's stance with Gabby & Delph over new deals, sense there's a different attitude at Villa. Almost: Treat em mean & keep em keen!

[supertom]

I'd prefer us to leave discussing new deals until the summer to be honest. Lets get the season out the way and see how they do. Gabby's been here forever and at the moment needs to up his game. Delphy's only played consistently for us this year because of injuries, so as brilliant as he's been this season, he's got a long way to go to prove he's worth a good extension.

[paul_e]

I know a lot of people on here think that statistics are pointless and I won't try to convince them otherwise but I do think it's worth popping up the whoscored statistics for the entire premier league this season right now...

Linky

For anyone who can't be bothered to click, using OPTA stats whoscored give players a rating based on their effect on the game.  Fabian Delph is currently the 19th best player in premier league on their model with an average rating of 7.48 (out of 10)

To me that suggests his form is so good that he can't be ignored by England on footballing grounds.

For info the only England players (named in the squad) above him are Townsend, Gerrard, Johnson and Sturridge.

Henderson - 7.12
Barkley - 7.18
Cleverley - 6.73
Lallana - 7.29
Wilshere (for info) - 6.88
Shelvey (he got mentioned) - 6.68

The numbers back up my thinking that of the lot Lallana and Delph are the 2 who deserve to be in the squad.

[eastie]

Delph looks good in what quite frankly is a poor midfield - he has been our best outfield player this season .
I don't think he should be in the England squad at this moment in time but I do agree there are some in the squad less deserving than him .

All Delph can do is keep performing to a high consistent level and see where it takes him .