Blues announce Delph signing

“Over the years, I've played against Everton and the fanbase has always been one that I've always had one eye on, thinking ‘what an amazing group of fans'.

Let's face it, City fans have seen much more of him than most of us and he seems to be held in very high regard by them - as a player and an influence around the squad.

Welcome to Everton, Fabian!

When you think about it, losing jags from the changing room will be felt. Gomes and Gueye are quality but can't imagine them being too vocal.

"I'm really happy to be here, I'm going to give absolutely everything - nothing less than 100 per cent” Delph told Everton's website.

"Hopefully we can push together, fans and players, to do something special.

"The club that I've been at has had success, especially in the last two seasons, but over the last four years we managed to win trophies. I wanted to be playing more regularly and the opportunity to come and play for Everton was too good of an opportunity to turn down.

"I'm hungry. I don't like losing. I see myself as a winner. I'm at an age now where I am probably one of the most experienced players, so hopefully I can bring that and try to help my teammates here to do better. “Ultimately, the goal is to win something. I've not come here just to be here - I've come here with ambitions to win things.”

Give him the captaincy now!

Big leader, big character which is something we have complained a lot about in recent years.

This guy is a vocal leader and hates losing.

Hmmm...

Just hope we can keep Gana - but if not, Delph seems to be one who could do that job.

Great price too - COYB!!

Being honest it's good value, he wasn't one that Id have gone for at this time of his career, but Brands must see him as a leader from a very successful club, who can add that winning mentality to EFC.

Onwards and upwards... and now for a couple of strikers!

May you prove to be a spectacular bargain!

Delph's initial comments are what I want to hear about winning trophies and wanting to play. I agree with Peter, this probably means Gueye is on his way out, time will tell if this is a shrewd move by Brands and Silva.

I haven't been his biggest fan and he hasn't really progressed since going to Man City but that's a tough eleven to crack.

With a chance that Gana may move it makes sense to anticipate that a void will need filling and the price is right.

Very pleased. Welcome.

I did want/do want Gana to stay and have a real good cracking season with Gomes and Delph used as sub when needed.

I said I don't like this signing at the start yes... because I wanted a new striker in the doors and will say yes I would've liked to think so.

For the money said and the money we stole for our boy Gomes... I'm more than happy.

Premier League proven, will try shoot and can score. Does bring leadership so happy.

There's not many 20+ goals a season strikers ready to move, plus the game has changed.

But... like many others it does piss on my chips since Luka we didn't get in that goal poacher we sorely miss.

I love Calvert-Lewin's work rate but he's not going to do the clinical finishing we lack.

We shall see... I'm up for Costa or Dzeko on deadline day if we are left with said above, Niasse and Tosun.

Hope he does the business for us and becomes a fan favourite.

Injury prone and apparently not in our new found age range...maybe we found that fit girl that worked all her life and did a good job

Probably not imo but welcome.

Bet I'm right though and fortunately I'm not the sad type to say I told ya so.

We are going to seriously miss Idrissa if he goes...seriously.

He has played just under 2,500 minutes over the past two Premier League winning campaigns at City. He isn't one of Pep's favourites, but his manager obviously trusted him to step in, and step up whenever required.

He has scored a couple of belters for them too. He might not match Gana on many metrics, but his shooting will certainly be an improvement!

٦m is an absolute steal and many clubs will be scratching their heads as to how we wrapped that one up.

I'd hate to lose Gana but that's what Delph is covering. Striker (or 2) coming in maybe someone who isn't necessarily going to get more than 10 but will feed the mids around him with his back to goal. Someone like Moise Kean though would be perfect. Tosun back to Turkey? Then one centre-back, unlikely to be Zouma, and a wild-card right-back. Here's hoping.

Gomes will start, Siggy will start and if he doesn't move Gana will start, so I think weve seen Gana play his last competitive Everton game.

Still a fair bit of movement left for the blues, let's hope we have a good transfer window.

But as with anyone who chooses to join us, he'll get the benefit of the doubt and absolute support from me. Turn it around, young man.

Skipper by Christmas if the razzmattaz is bob on.

Welcome Fabian ....... for now.

Where's the centre-forward, Marcel!?

He's not a Gana replacement.

Appreciate your reply mate, but you call Delph a young English international, but he's not young at all, he's 29 and in footballing terms he's getting on a little.

Also not getting a good crack of the whip in a team containing Silva's (David and Bernardo), De Bruyne, Fernandinho, Foden, Gundogan and now with another 㿫m signing in Rodri, it's no wonder he's been allowed to move on.

I'm not saying I couldn't have wished for a better player to sign, I'm saying that at ٦.5m he's a good addition to our squad.

I hope he can stay on his feet and stay on the pitch for the duration; if he can – and his fitness holds – I think we've paid around 30% of what he's worth. His wages are high, but if he delivers on the field (and around the club) then he deserves to be one of our higher earners.

Welcome aboard, I have joined the Fabian Society.

As Drew (22) says, expect Delph to take on the Gareth Barry role. He's an experienced pro, a hugely underrated passer, and possesses the leadership qualities we've been lacking. He's the type of player you don't realize is that good until he's playing for your team.

The one thing he isn't is a like-for-like Gana replacement. My Villa-supporting friends genuinely crack up remembering some of his dreadful tackles. He's apparently Scholes-esque in that regard.

As soon as the AfCoN finishes we will know how the wind blows regarding Gueye. I hope he stays...

I'm underwhelmed by this signing but, as long as he is not a replacement for Gana, I can live with it.

All this make him captain, he is a leader etc. Don't you need to be on the pitch to be a leader? Unless, of course, a leader is required in the treatment room.

He may well be in the England squad but that just tells me how poor that squad is and it's not like he is a guaranteed starter.

I am completely underwhelmed by this signing; it has dampened all my early season enthusiasm and, if this is indicative of future signings, then we are set for yet another mediocre season at best.

Whilst I was never expecting any superstar signings, neither was I expecting injury-prone cast-offs either. This player is not a replacement for Gueye; he can't tackle to save his life.

Of course, having played under Pep, he must be a top player?!!! Do me a favour! I can only hope we have some quality signings lined up to follow this dross.

As for these "cast-off" remarks... who cares why a player left another club? Digne and Gomes are both cast-offs. I'm not complaining. Better them than a "super star" from a weaker club who doesn't cut the mustard (of which we have many examples).

Gueye has been fantastic at covering cracks all over the team, but as we improve further as a unit, we will hopefully be able to cope and evolve without him.

I believe he will leave, so we're likely to find out.

It would have made more sense, if possible, to offer Gana an improved contract and save the signing fee.

We are still waiting to fill the most important position we need and it's a pity it wasn't sorted early doors prior to pre-season.

I thought we were looking for younger, hungrier players with a quality and desire to win with the plus of added value.

Delph doesn't have as good an engine is often injured and his tackling is akin to Paul Scholes crossed with a drunken blind man. I feel he's another player who has made a reputation of being good just by being surrounded by superstars at Man City.

Good price but with massive wages, but to say he's a direct replacement for Gueye – well, I'd rather have Schneiderlin in that role.

Then again, what the hell do I know? I guess we better trust the judgement of Marcel Brands and Marco Silva.

Also, whats the situation with Baines. He has signed a year contract but if he is not getting game time come January will he be seeking to move on for regular football – Delph can cover left-back. Hopefully not a replacement for Gueye although I fear this maybe the case.

Every transfer is a gamble – but, at the price and given the so-called leadership skills and versatility, I think it is a solid if unspectacular signing and one where we will grow to appreciate what he brings.

Brands, I've lost complete faith in you! Another player who can't get a game in a top team — no problem! We will send him to Everton to see out his playing career and get some money in the bank.

The Robinson move and relationship to Baines extended contract (the benchmark of old regime incompetent) smacks of old regime.

I have flashback to Baines's errors of last season, unrecoverable at his age.

Seriously, we need to focus on a striker. Mandukic has been mentioned on this thread. I'd like to canvas ideas on this from all y'all (as they seem to say in the southern states of USA), based on this thought. Currently, we have been building a side with flexibility of movement, agility and speed. Do we want a striker who is a proven scorer and equally flexible to the others or a hulk, who is a proven scorer (a Ferguson type for instance)? If so, who should we consider?

I'm asking this as I have always respected the views of ToffeeWebbers.

In his peak years at Aston Villa and City City, he was averaging around 2.3 tackles and 1.7 interceptions per match. That is comfortably more than Schneiderlin, Gomes and Davies last season and about even with McCarthy over his Everton career. Obviously Gueye is ahead, as he is compared to almost everyone in this department. Delph is very decent defensively even if he does make a few clumsy challenges (like Gomes!).

If Delph is fully fit then he is a quality, rounded midfielder with a winning attitude. He's also 4 years younger than Gareth Barry was when we signed him. If he stays fit for the next 3 years then I think most detractors on here will come to like and possibly even love him. Hopefully!

Looking at his injury record, from what I can see he wasn't injured at all last season (although he only played 20 games in all competitions) while the season before he missed 10 games in total due to injury.

I think he'll mainly be back up to Gomes and if Gueye goes we'll have a replacement lined up with Schneiderlin playing backup to the new guy.

I'd rather have Delph than a perma-crocked McCarthy.

Rumour has it that we might be paying a similar type of fee for either Moise Kean or Rafael Leao (either of which I'd be delighted by) but Haller is more developed than either and would have been a good fit potentially.

Look at Man City last year: their best/most important player for the majority of the season was Fernandinho and he's 34.

Good teams need a good blend, a mixture of youth and experience. You can't have a team full of young whipper-snappers who don't understand the game. Look at how much of a calming influence an older player can be. Have you ever played the game?

You'll find that you 100% need an old head in the team to cajole, and dictate what goes on, on the pitch. Barry did it for us, so did Phil Neville in recent years. You may not rate them as the best players out there, but they bring so much more to the team than their mere footballing ability.

Delph is experienced, well coached and a good footballer technically speaking. Yes, he may lack in the superstar status, and he may not get your pulse racing, but every team needs a player like him. This will be an excellent signing in my view. Even better that he's nearly 30.

Unbelievable, this!

The fact that he is 29 is something I am not worried about. In the last few years, there has not been too many miles put on the clock. Fully fit, I think he will have a lot to give over the next 3 years.

If he plays as good as he talks we have a winner. Positive move from M & M for me.

I don't think the RS fans were jumping through hoops when they signed their own Man City cast-off in Milner and look what a great buy he has been for them! You can't build a winning team of spectacular players and this guy will provide some of the more basic skills we will need.

Great work from Brands and his team to get him at this price!

I'm however shocked we're paying him 𧴜k/week, which is more than he was getting at Man City! Had there been a list of other clubs after him I could understand but I haven't heard of any other club being interested.

That's 㾻M over three years plus the transfer fee so 㿔M odd this will cost the club.

We're getting a dangerously large number of players earning 𧴜k+ a week on the books. Not sure how this is sustainable given we're nowhere near Champions League and Moshiris millions won't be there forever.

Believe we now have Mina, Delph, Sandro, Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin all on 𧴜k/week or more. Likes of Richarlison and Bernard are on 䀆k/week. I presume Gomes is also on 𧴜k+ a week.

@77 Haller should have been on our radar. So I assume we have something else lined up if we are letting him go to West Ham without a fight... I hope it's Kean personally.

Haller you'd expect could hit the ground running though and is a real handful for defenders able to provide both goals and assists. Reminds me a bit of a quicker Giroud. 㿙M is a lot but I think he could prove an astute purchase for West Ham.

Stupid amount of money in the game these days. Guess we should probably stop worrying about the money side and focus on the players on the pitch. I still remember when Shearer (I think) was the first 㿞k/week player about 20 years ago. Delph will improve the first team so am happy on that front at least. Main thing at the end of the day.

Also happy to have a first-team signing who's English. We were in danger of becoming an all Portuguese speaking team the rate we were going. We also need English players for the home grown contingent.

Gomes and Delph certainly beefs up the central midfield dept. Now for that Illusive striker...

I know generally people won't move for a decrease, but why not match it, or negotiate increments of ٟk, remembering of course that a 'measly' ٟk is 㿞k over a year which is not shabby at all in our poor fan's eyes? It does smack of dual standards at a time when we are supposed to be making economies.

The same with Lossl who was on a 'measly' 㿈k at Huddersfield, has signed as a back-up keeper to Pickford, and has been increased to 㿪k?

Don't get me wrong – I am happy with the signings of Delph and Lossl and Andre Gomes, but it does wrankle a tad when the Club are making statements (and quite rightly so) about the bloated squad, wage bill etc, then seemingly proliferating at the first opportunity to do so.

I don't understand the moaners, it's not as if this is our only signing.

1. Delph as a replacement for Besic & McCarthy — then a good bit of business

2. Delph as a replacement for Gueye — then it's a massive step back.

Small-club mentality surely if its No 2? Selling your best players and buying cheap half-price replacements... when has that model ever worked well?

So far, it's Gomes (retained) & Delph (added) and we have lost Zouma and maybe Gueye from last season's squad.

We're still miles away from improving the squad at all.

For me, the big question is: Does he improve us as a team in any way, shape or form? For me, the answer is a huge No!!!

Complete waste of money in my eyes. . . and I have yet to see this leadership everyone claims he has. Will that leadership bring us trophies? Well, it certainly didn't for Neville or Barry.

3 players have been added to the ranks but nothing that makes the team better than last season. The first team is still a defender, midfielder and striker away from being better.

“Could argue the fee is too high.”

I seem to recall another injury-prone player with 6 months left on his contract going for a similar price many years ago. The name was Pienaar. Factoring in inflation which prices a YTS Newcastle kid at 㿞 million, I cannot really see your point.

I think that M&M have a plan and are single-minded enough not to go in for "Panic buys" so that Delph, for whatever reason (probably versatility and leadership) was on that list and is part of the plan.

Given the upturn in our overall performances in the final quarter of last season, I am happy to see the further development of that plan and, if Delph is a part of it, I anticipate that it is for a good reason.

I am now wondering who else will be joining in the not too distant future.

One thing I do like about this window is – no weeks of gossip and chatter and speculation – just as Marcel promised.

One brief mention that we were in negotiations and the next thing he is signed. That's the way to conduct transfer business!

It's a little bit 'offside' from the declared Brands model of buying potential young and cheap, but a team also needs the balance and experience he has in spades. Landing him for the price we have in this market is not extravagant, especially alongside some of our more lavish recent dealings. And 29 is not an age to be embalmed and mummified in football as some are suggesting.

I would very, VERY much hope this is not a signing to cover the departure of Gueye, who I very, VERY much want to stay.

I would be interested to learn eventually how close the young Delph was to signing for us from Leeds instead of Villa 10 years ago. I have a very good mate, a die-hard Leeds fan, who worked in banking at the time and he swore to me he was sure he was going to sign for us having seen draft contracts confirming the same. I swore at him back when it didn't happen!

This issue can work in reverse, the signing of Gareth Barry being a prime example, he too was given a lukewarm reception early in his Everton career. I choose to give any newcomers a settling-in period in order to acquaint themselves with their new colleagues and the manager's style of play.

The reason I take this approach is because, when Everton signed Roy Vernon from Blackburn Rovers, on making his debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers, I considered him exceedingly average. In fairness, he was thrown in at the deep end...

But age and experience have taught me to 'look before I leap'. Therefore I welcome Fabian Delph to the 'Everton family'. the rest is up to him.

Agree that it was always going to be hard for him to get a run in that team, but I've never seen anything to suggest he was worth it.

Still can't believe he's 29. For a player who wasn't the finished article when he signed for them, it's pretty poor that he spent his prime riding the bench.

He doesn't have the experience of a Gareth Barry, so he's not bringing that. He doesn't even really bring the unfulfilled promise of a Darren Gibson!

Let's hope for the best, but this doesn't make any sense to me.

(1) "He's some sort of goal threat" – an average of one per season throughout his career suggests otherwise.

(2) "He picks up red cards due to rash tackling" – 3 in 8 years is probably pretty average for a player in his position.

In my opinion, Delph is a decent player and I welcome him to our Club.

However, I'm getting worried. Maybe the club wanted to give us the bad news before the good news?

An England international at 29, is very good business for ٦.5m. Once we offload McCarthy, Besic and possibly Schneiderlin it'll be even better. I just hope Delph & Schneiderlin aren't Gana Gueye's replacements

Ya never really know.

Let's hope

While we sweat buckets worrying about whether we can retain the services of a tackling Machine who has offered virtually nothing going forward since he got here. Teams like Leicester are spending proper money on a midfielder who offers soooo much more with the ball.

Signing Delph hardly sets the pulses racing, but some on here need to get a grip.

Beggars. . . choosers

Nobody surprised Dave.

Zahir, I'd like both of Costa and Kean. That would excite me, finally. And then I'm guessing Brands will loan out another 10 players. I'm guessing Brands might need a holiday in a few weeks time.

£22.5m is a reasonable price IMO.

But now I'm in another pissy mood.

Stephen, I don't believe the Mandzukic story either. No way he'd come to us. And a 33-year-old who averages a goal every four games for the best club in Italy won't be on my wish list. Pass.

Eric #124, because he offers little of what Gana does defensively. Decent positionally but not a great ballwinner. Won't provide the protection for our backline.

Also, Man City paid about ٦m for him in 2015 so they're getting their money back for a player 4 years older. Either way, as I said, ٦m-㾶m for even a half decent player in the prem these days seems to be peanuts so can't grumble.

Speaking of peanuts, also not sure what Pienaar has to do with anything here. His signing is nothing like Delph's. We initially signed him on loan before buying, for a start. We also paid far less for him (first and second time round) and he was 25 when he first came to us, much younger than Delph. Very odd example to use indeed.

I referenced Pienaar not being bought by us but being sold. We sold him for close to what we just paid for Delph when he had just six months left on his contract. That was 8 years ago so comparatively (factoring in inflation), more expensive for Spurs than Delph was for us.

Pienaar at the time was 28 years old so only a year younger than Delph is now. He had a similar injury record to Delph. So I think it's a pretty good comparison since you raised the topic of selling players coming towards the end of their contracts, who are injury prone, and in their late 20s.

We've also got Josh Bowler who needs a good loan in the Championship this season. A good season on loan and he'll be back and knocking on the door. I had very high hopes for Lookman. He reminded me of Stirling when he first came from Charlton but he seems to be just treading water with us and my gut feeling is that he won't sign a new contract so I'm indifferent to him leaving now.

We know what we were getting. The shame was that he was tempted away in the first place by 'Arry's scattergun approach to recruitment.

i.e. see someone playing well for another side and then buy them - whether or not they are a fit for your side or your style of play.

Just sad to see more deadwood coming in. . . such as Delph.

I suspect that our forebears felt the same way when Dixie Dean and Tommy Lawton were transferred, and it will surely happen again in the future. I appreciate that Dixie Dean was nearing the end of his career, and that Tommy Lawton had his career curtailed due to World War Two, but I'm sure that nevertheless there would have been many tears shed in 'Blue Houses'. I take the stance of, "The King is dead, long live the King!"

Delph may not have a super-human ability to anticipate attacks like Idrissa but he has a great engine, is aggressive and possesses plenty of ability.

If we can net 㿊M in the difference and put it towards a striker, then all the better. He's better on the ball than Idrissa.

My reply was to your original footnote “because he offers nothing defensively”.

I don't know if you've edited your post or it just didn't come through; that said. I agree what you say. I don't think he's swapped City's bench for ours he must have been given assurances he will play. Personally, I think Gueye is going and Delph is a stop-gap until one of the youngsters is ready or not, if the case may be...

As for Delph, if it means Sneiderlinn moves on then I'm ok with that. Gomes, McCarthy, Delph, Davies and Baningime should be fighting for the centre-midfield positions. I've got a bad feeling for the new season already : (

Brian Clough, yeah, leader off the pitch. What is required is a nasty Roy Keane bastard. Peter Reid? Yeah. Delph, perhaps, and that will do for me.
If Michael K, you will excuse this brief reference to cricket. I would mention the wonderful Mike Brierley. In John Arlott's greatest all-time eleven purely for captaincy.

Delph brings what we lack. Hatred, utter hatred, of defeat. He will not be having a laugh with the Red Shite in the tunnel. And it is about fucking time. Bring him on and make him a hero.

Apparently, Gomes wanted No 21, last worn by Mo Besic. And his wish has been granted. In a show of great generosity, those who purchased Gomes ahirts beariung No 8 can exchange them for (new?) shirts with No 21.

And if you hadn't noticed from the Sion game, Lössl apparently will wear No 49, which was nominally Antonee Robinson's shirt number.

All of a sudden to some people, 㾻 million on wages over the contracts full term is a lot when they stayed silent on the tens of millions frittered away on Mirallas, Schneiderlin, Bolasie etc, etc with no return but whinging and moodiness.

No wonder we can't get a new ground built the way we throw money away on losers.

As I keep it movin', we keep it movin', uh
Keep it movin' an' keep it movin' uh
Keep it movin', baby, we be movin', uh
Keep it movin', we keep it huh, rharh

What's that rhythm, what's that sound?
Party people gettin' down
When it hit the baddest man
Just release yo' Delph!!

Perhaps you should wait to see him play for us and what he brings to the team over a few games before you put the boot in. Funny how he keeps getting picked for England, isn't it?

You're raising the bar. Two Championship winner medals, 20 England caps, captain of Aston Villa, hundreds of Premier League appearances... what a total loser. Gosh, where does this leave Tony Hibbert?

Welcome Fabian, put your words into deeds on the pitch and the fans will be with you, even the naysayers on ToffeeWeb.

But please, Mr Silva, a proven goalscorer has to be our immediate priority. We will win nothing without one.

For months now I have been banging the drum for Sebastien Haller, having watched everything available on YouTube of him he looks the part for me. To my dismay, I find out yesterday that West Ham have signed him. Mark my words, Mr Brands, this boy will come back to haunt you for not snapping him up.

“They are two completely different players. Gana plays in one role, Fabian can do the role of Gana but he doesn't come to our squad to replace Gana.

“For me he is a box-to-box player and Fabian performs better when he is a box-to-box player.

“Of course, he can play as one of the two midfielders with an offensive midfield player, the role we are giving to Gylfi and one that Bernard and Tom can also play there and even Andre because he did in Valencia, and so Fabian can play in that role in our 4-2-3-1 formation we played last season.

“He can also play as an offensive midfielder and can give us more opportunities than we had last season."

Largely positive comments and at ٦M an absolute bargain already proven.

A handful of regular contributors should be eating a bit of humble pie...

Anyway, we will see how he is performing at Christmas. No doubt get injured next week, be out for 6 months and have them screaming 'I told ya so'...