Tom Oldfield
Fabian Delph could be forgiven for being a little overwhelmed as he begins his first Premier League season with new club Aston Villa. His rise from the youth ranks at Bradford to Martin O’Neill’s squad has been nothing short of remarkable and the next couple of years look set to follow a similar pattern.
At just 19 years of age, Delph is undoubtedly still learning his trade but there have been clear indications of his talent along the way. Though he started at Bradford, it was not long before Leeds moved in for the highly-rated youngster and it was at Elland Road that he truly began to shine as a rare positive in the club’s disastrous fall from grace.
Captaining Leeds Reserves re-enforced the notion that Delph was destined for big things and it surprised no one when he was handed a first team debut at the end of the 2006/07 campaign. But it was in 2008/09 that the youngster really hit the headlines and interest from Premier League clubs was quick to follow. Furthermore, Steve Claridge wrote a glowing scouting report in the Guardian. The former Leicester striker said: “Sometimes you go on a scouting trip and the player takes time to convince you he can play. Not so Fabian Delph.”
Missing out on promotion with Leeds was a bitter blow for the youngster but there was little time to dwell on that setback. O’Neill had already identified Delph – an England Under-21 international – as the perfect pacy, tireless midfielder to add to his predominantly home grown line-up. Villa’s up tempo style of play appeared a good match for Delph and Leeds refused to stand in his way, cashing in on their prize asset for a transfer fee that could reportedly reach £8M.
Naturally, there have been suggestions that Delph will fill the boots of Gareth Barry, the England international who joined the Manchester City revolution during the summer. This is hugely unfair. Barry, a one-time skipper at Villa Park, carried the team on numerous occasions and has a bagful of seasons under his belt. Delph will not be expected to inherit that burden of responsibility – instead, he must simply play his own game. And in time he may reach Barry’s level.
Nonetheless, O’Neill is expecting big things from his talented new signing from the get-go. The Villa boss told the media: “It is not purely potential that we have bought here. There is no question he is a Premier League player with Premier League ability and he has an edge to his game. He will progress, but I think he is ready to go.”
For his part, Delph remains supremely confident and unfazed by the increased media spotlight. He told reporters: “There are people saying that I am under pressure and that there is a lot of expectation, but I don’t really listen to them. Everything is quicker and more physical, but I want to make an impact and try to get into the team. I am eager to learn and work as hard as I can.”
Without Barry and Martin Laursen, the inspirational Danish centre-back who has retired due to injury, Villa need to adjust their expectations for the season ahead. Things have most changed at Villa Park. They were on the cusp of Champions League football for much of last year – before losing out to Arsenal – but will surely find the going tougher this time around as they bid to crack the top four.
Mark Hughes’ Manchester City squad appear to be the most capable of breaking into that elite grouping and arguably Everton, who famously did so back in 2005, look better equipped to do so than Villa too. For the sake of Delph’s progress, it is vital that he handles the pressure effectively. Life in the top flight, particularly when a player is taking the leap from League One straight to the big time, can be rocky initially and it may only be in the New Year that Villa fans see the youngster’s true promise.
And it is important to keep the bigger, long-term picture in mind when considering O’Neill’s transfer activity. Villa are gradually assembling a young squad that could take the league by storm in a few years’ time, once the necessary experience has been gained.. An attack boasting Ashley Young and Gabriel Agbonlahor will continue to strike fear into defences nationwide while the attacking thrust of James Milner and Delph in midfield will keep the side ticking along. And Curtis Davies may well mature into a top class defender, capable of marshalling the back four.
All this is mouth-watering stuff. O’Neill and the Villa fans will have to be patient during this campaign but the club’s future looks very, very bright – particularly with Delph pulling the strings.
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