Delph signs new deal

[Tuscans]

A lot of love for Randy....

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11677/9677428/premier-league-fabian-delph-happy-to-repay-faith-shown-by-aston-villa-chairman-randy-lerner

Fabian Delph says repaying the faith shown in him by Aston Villa chairman Randy Lerner was the motivation behind committing his future to the Premier League club.


"The first couple of seasons I had quite a few bad injuries, everybody stood by me and the chairman was huge for me."
Fabian Delph
The England midfielder, who joined the club from Leeds for £6m in August 2009, signed a new four-and-half year contract on Sunday.

“Obviously I’ve been at the club for a long while and I’ve got a lot of love for this club, I’ve got a great relationship with the chairman,” Delph told Sky Sports News HQ.

“I feel like this is my club and I feel that I want to be here. I’m 25 and I was on a free in the summer but it never really played a big part in my mind in what I wanted to do.

“I know what I want to achieve and the ambitions I have, I feel that we can do that here.

Delph spent eight months on the sidelines due to a cruciate ligament injury in 2010 and picked up an ankle injury while on loan at Leeds which saw him miss the second half of the season in 2012.

“The first couple of seasons I had quite a few bad injuries, everybody stood by me and the chairman was huge for me.

“He was always positive and always spoke to me, he always kept my confidence up and said ‘don’t worry, keep going, you’ll come out the other end’, and I managed to do that, so for me to repay him by staying at the club and trying to push on is a big for me.

“I’ve been speaking to Randy for six years, we’ve got a great relationship, like I say he’s got a great belief in me.

“It does go a bit further than player/chairman relationship and I’m delighted to have someone like him in my life, someone so positive.”

[Percy McCarthy]

Reading this thread has been an absolute pleasure.

[aj2k77]

Reading this thread has been an absolute pleasure.

Hasn't it. A talented player who really wants to play for us. He'll get support there's no doubt about that. It's not often we get players who stick by us through thick and thin. Now let's find some more!

[peter w]

great stuff. Now, when we get relegated we'll be able to get around £40m for him and Benteke. No fucker will stop coming back now. If manU get serious then it'll be nearer 50mill when they go for Vlaar. What a great weekend so this has turned out to be.

[Drummond]

Reading this thread has been an absolute pleasure.

Makes a change doesn't it? A very nice, positive story about a player who has endeared himself to the supporters as a result. He can make himself a hero, win England caps, and hopefully, a trophy or two!

I'm surprised at how much of a relationship he has with the chairman, who has been slated as not interested or involved, it's changed my opinion.

[eamonn]

For all the pelters (Pelty?) Randy gets, he clearly has a way with some of the players - Bent and him bonded over USA! type field-sports and Delph clearly has a lot of time for him.

Let's hear it,once more only, for Randolph!

[john e]

Considering Randy doesn't say much publicly, and isn't around VP very often, he seems to have a good relationship with some of the players
I remember Bent saying much the same things about him, how he talks to him regularly and how he had a good relationship, which is surprising as he's never there
Same with Lambert (which you would expect)and Faulkner (same)

Maybe he's more active behind the scenes in a less dramatic way than we imagine

[john e]

Just noticed other posters saying exactly the same as me, I would do well to read the thread before posting

[Dante Lavelli]

As far as the video, I like how its a no nonsense, monotone, Yorkshireman talking... right up until he gives you the cheeky grin and the wink.

I must admit, up until the wink, it made me think of a hostage situation with the General just out of shot wearing a balaclava and holding some great big gun-thing.  I since realised that it was delivered in the monotone manner because the message was to be delivered via the big screens (or I hope so).

[Dante Lavelli]

Considering Randy doesn't say much publicly, and isn't around VP very often, he seems to have a good relationship with some of the players I remember Bent saying much the same things about him, how he talks to him regularly and how he had a good relationship, which is surprising as he's never there
Same with Lambert (which you would expect)and Faulkner (same)

Maybe he's more active behind the scenes in a less dramatic way than we imagine

Which makes it all the more infuriating that he leaves a vacuum of leadership at the club. 

That said, in a few months time there could be a DoF in place which, along with Fox, could be the beginning of a decent structure. 
I'm happy with him continuing his pen-pal role, especially if he continues to donate 10m-20m each season, as long as The Club has some sort of leadership near the top of the pyramid.

[Smirker]

I like that fact that he hasn't just gone with the "I'm happy to sign" etc, which would still put a smile on your face, but its the way he has gone in strong with the "this is my club and I love it" line. Players often talk a good game, but players like Delph who reciprocate the loyalty of the club are few and far between.

I agree completely, Ads.

When was the last time we heard any player at any club come out with "this is my club and I love it". Great stuff.

I'm really hoping that this can help us to kick-on a bit now. It's good news whichever way you look at it.

He's certainly gone above and beyond what is required in that statement which is why I don't get why anyone would think he'd leave. Why come out with that if you were going to leave soon after? I'm as cynical about footballers as anyone is as well.

[manic-road]

Watching that interview with Delph, it actually makes me have a bit more faith in some footballers rather than having the perception of all footballers being mercenary going to whoever will pay them the highest wages.

Delph really does love the Villa.

[adrenachrome]

Paul McGrath ‏@Paulmcgrath5 2h2 hours ago

How refreshing to hear Fabian Delph talk of his loyalty to Aston Villa . Rare in the modern game . Well done son , restores the faith !

[Smirker]

He needs a song.

[adrenachrome]

Belfast Telegraph

Team-mates shocked by deal - Delph

Fabian Delph has admitted his Aston Villa team-mates were shocked to hear he had signed a new deal.

The England midfielder has penned a four-and-a-half year contract to commit himself to the club until 2019.

He was out of contract in the summer and had been linked with a move away from the Barclays Premier League strugglers, who have battled relegation for the last three years.

Boss Paul Lambert called it a coup for Villa and Delph revealed even the squad was surprised.

"The lads are absolutely delighted. As soon as I told some of them they looked at me shocked to start with," he said.

"They see a lot in me and how dedicated I am and how I want to push on. They're delighted to keep someone like me here.

"I see them as family, brothers, I'd run through a brick wall for them. They're not just team-mates."

Villa chief executive Tom Fox played a key role in convincing Delph to stay and believes the 25-year-old has bought into his vision.

"We are so pleased to keep one of our best young players. It says a lot about him too and his faith," said Fox.

"This club is on a journey and it's my job to talk to as many people and convince them it's not where we are.

"Fabian and I have had many conversations and he believes in this journey. There were a lot of interested clubs. We've got a top young player here.

"The top five clubs are in a much better place financially."