Fabian Delph: I want to win trophies with Everton

New Everton midfielder Fabian Delph has said he thoroughly enjoyed his first week with the Blues and wants to help bring silverware back to Goodison Park.

Delph, 29, left Manchester City for Merseyside on July 15 in an £8.5 million move, and speaking at his official unveiling this afternoon, said his main aim is to push the club on to success:

“The main goal is to be successful and to try and win something. I’m really aware that the club hasn’t won anything for quite a long time, and that’s definitely at the top of my list; to try and push the lads, for the lads to push me, and for everybody to head in the same direction and hopefully try and win something.

“I’m settling in really well. Obviously, I’ve played with a few of the lads with the national team, and I’ve played against these lads over the years. They’ve welcomed me with open arms and I’m enjoying it.”

After spending four seasons at the Etihad Stadium, during which time Delph won two league titles, three League Cups and one FA Cup, the former Leeds and Aston Villa said he found the proposition of joining Everton extremely attractive.

Delph said how tough he found facing Everton while in a Man City shirt, and how impressed he has been by the dynamic approach taken by manager Marco Silva:

“I played against them last season and it was very difficult, especially at the Etihad Stadium. I’ve seen a squad of players that looked like they were heading in the right direction; some very talented players individually, a possession-based team, high work ethic, and the manager seems to install that in them.

“The previous club he was at [Watford] seemed to be very similar. It was really attractive to me and I’m just happy to be here.”

Photo credit should read PAUL ELLIS/AFP/Getty Images

While Delph’s last Premier League start for Man City came as long ago as Boxing Day last year, he still enjoyed a successful spell with the club, especially under Pep Guardiola, who converted him to a left-back during the 2017-18 season.

And though he admitted there are better left-backs than him out there, Delph added that his versatility and his commitment are two of his greatest qualities on the pitch:

“I’m not the best left-back in the world, but i can play left-back, I can play defensive midfield, attacking midfield, right-back; I can play a lot of positions.

“If I was asked to do a job, I would do it to the best of my ability. I can’t remember ever giving it less than 100 per cent, so if I’m asked to do a job somewhere, then that’s what I’ll be giving.”

Some have already earmarked Delph as a possible replacement for Everton midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who has again been linked with a switch to Paris Saint-Germain after a move to the French champions in January fell through.

Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images

But Delph said he has been told no such thing by Silva, adding that he is still getting to know his new team-mates and that he hope the Senegalese does not leave this summer:

“I’ve only been here a week and i’m trying to get up to speed with the lads. The training is a lot different to my last club; the work rate is really up there, I’ve been really impressed with that.

“Like I said, I can play in quite a few positions. Hopefully he [Gueye] stays because he’s a fantastic player and he’s a great asset for the club, but if I’m asked to play in any position then, like i said, nothing less than 100 per cent.”