What do Manchester City fans think of new Everton midfielder Fabian Delph?

Everton completed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Fabian Delph last week, with the 29-year-old signing a three-year deal at Goodison Park.

Delph moves to Merseyside for a initial fee of £8.5 million, rising to £10 million with add-ons, and will provide extra competition for the likes of Idrissa Gueye, Tom Davies and fellow new signing André Gomes.

The former Leeds United and Aston Villa man won three League Cups, two Premier League titles, one FA Cup and one Community Shield during his four years at the Etihad Stadium, and has 20 England caps to his name.

Following Delph’s move to the Blues, we spoke to football writer Ger Deegan, who also blogs for and co-hosts a podcast at SB Nation’s City site, Bitter and Blue, about his thoughts on the midfielder:

RBM: Firstly, how would you sum up Delph’s four seasons at City?

Ger: I was slightly surprised when he originally made the move to City, but overall it’s been largely successful due to the role he played during the 100-point season.

He came into the side in a position no expected to see him in [left-back] and was crucial in a record-breaking season.

RBM: With just one year left on his City contract, and with fellow midfielder Rodri having joined from Atlético for a record £62.8 million fee, was the time right for Delph to move on?

Ger: Absolutely. I don’t think he did great when given the chance last season and with the top-quality midfield we have, you would struggle to see him get regular football in his natural position.

As well as this, the improvement of Oleksandr Zinchenko and Benjamin Mendy’s impending return mean he won’t play regularly.

RBM: What are Delph’s biggest strengths and weaknesses as a midfielder?

Ger: His strengths are definitely his hard work rate, ability in possession to carry the ball as well as his presence. He does it simple, which can be key especially in a team looking to play football.

I would say his weakness is his mental awareness on the pitch at times or perhaps it’s a clumsiness at times. He is prone to a mistake or lapse in concentration at times.

RBM: Under Pep Guardiola, Delph often deputised as a left-back. How much did he impress you when he played there, and could he even be a better alternative to Lucas Digne than Leighton Baines given Baines’ advancing years?

Ger: He did superbly during our 100-point season. I remember his debut in that position at Stamford Bridge in a crucial game and he came on leaps and bounds in that position.

It’s most certainly an option for Marco Silva to look at ahead of the new season.

RBM: In general, then, do you see this as a good move for all parties?

Ger: I think it’s a perfect move for both. Everton are getting a more than capable player who can fill in a number of roles who now has a winning mentality. They need characters like that at Goodison.

For Delph, he gets a chance at regular football at a big club like Everton with the potential of being part of a historic season which I believe could be on the horizon.

Our thanks to Ger for his time.