Rafa Benitez expects Fabian Delph knew Everton looked into selling him during the summer transfer window, but has benefitted from the midfielder staying, via the Liverpool Echo.
Delph entered the final year of his contract at Goodison Park during the off-season after a miserable campaign last term. He only made eight Premier League appearances, starting just two, under Carlo Ancelotti after missing more than four-months through injury.
The 31-year-old started last season in the treatment room, as well, so had not played since February. He has also already missed seven games this term after dislocating his shoulder.
Delph returned from his shoulder injury to replace Jean-Philippe Gbamin at Wolves last month and impressed fans with his performance. He also impressed Benitez, who then gave the midfielder his first start since becoming Everton manager against Tottenham.
Again, Delph impressed in the Everton midfield, and Benitez has now praised what he has seen from the £80k-a-week technician. While reflecting on the Toffees’ efforts to sell him.
“He has the right mentality, the right attitude,” Benitez said. “I have to stop him in the training sessions because he’s pushing very hard.
“What I saw from him at the beginning, I think he knows we were thinking about replacing him. But he’s trained really well, we’ve had to wait for ten-weeks for him to be available.
“He’s showed commitment, intensity and he’s quite vocal. He has the experience of winning something and the mentality to help the young players.”
Everton still set to release injury-prone Delph, despite Benitez praise
Everton are still likely set to release Delph at the end of the injury-prone midfielder’s deal, despite Benitez’s praise. But he does still have time to change the Toffees’ mind this term.
Reports by the Liverpool Echo at the end of the summer transfer window claimed Everton wanted to sell Delph, along with striker Cenk Tosun, to help ease their bloated wage bill.
However, neither departed Goodison Park, so Director of Football Marcel Brands’ task to reduce spending remains ongoing. Hence why Everton are unlikely to offer Delph a new contract, and will let their £10m signing from Manchester City in 2019 leave next summer.
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