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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
Ian Holloway has heaped significant praise on Everton’s signing of Fabian Delph whilst suggesting he would have been perfect for Arsenal.
What did he say?
Delph signed for The Toffees for just £10m in what some may view as a bargain signing with the midfielder having 20 England caps under his belt, as well as captaining the national team on occasion.
In response to Granit Xhaka’s performance against Tottenham, in which he picked up his 39th yellow card for the Gunners and gave away his fifth penalty since joining, the former QPR boss suggested Arsenal would have been better off signing Delph.
Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: “Well for me I’m looking at what I think who is probably the signing of the season for Everton in Fabian Delph.
“If Arsenal had Fabian Delph playing the way he did yesterday for Everton, do you see what I’m saying?”
The former Manchester City midfielder started for the first time for his new club against Wolves, but he didn’t take long to influence the team, getting Everton back to winning ways in the league in a performance which pleased his manager.
Becoming the key man again
Delph has had a tough few years at the Citizens. Many of his four years there were plagued by injury and due to the ability in the squad he saw his game-time limited, and was often played out of position when he did feature.
Prior to his spell in Manchester, the 29-year-old had played his way into the England squad by becoming a pivotal player for Aston Villa, and it is that role he will likely look to recreate at Everton.
Against Wolves the midfielder enjoyed the second-highest pass accuracy of any player on the pitch who made more than ten passes, other than Seamus Coleman, and he kept the Everton midfield ticking whilst providing energy to the team going forward.
In typical Delph fashion he was also just as useful in defence, making four tackles, two interceptions and two clearances, underlining how effective he will be as a box-to-box midfielder this season.
If he can stay fit he should be able to rediscover his best form and act as the midfield anchor which will allow Everton’s creative players more freedom, as Holloway suggests.
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