Stan Collymore has issued an apology to Fabian Delph, and backed the midfielder to be an excellent signing for Everton.
Stan Collymore has issued an apology to Fabian Delph in the Sunday People (21/7; page 55) for labelling the midfielder a snake following his move away from Aston Villa, and suggested that Marco Silva should consider appointing his summer signing as Everton’s new captain.
Delph became the Toffees’ third addition of the summer earlier this month when he joined from Manchester City on a permanent basis. The 29-year-old enjoyed plenty of success at the Etihad Stadium, with Pep Guardiola utilising his versatility and using him in several different roles.
He made 89 appearances in all competitions across four seasons and left having won two Premier League title medals after many had suspected that he would probably barely feature for the club upon his move from Aston Villa.
And after Delph brought an end to his time with City this month, Collymore admitted that he needed to apologise for the way that he reacted to his Villa exit.
“I don’t mind admitting now I was wrong and he was right,” he told the Sunday People (21/7; page 55) while talking about his move from Villa. “He left a shell of a club to go and win trophies so he deserves the apology.”
His latest move appears to be a very good piece of business from Everton, who are looking to build upon an encouraging first campaign under Silva. And Collymore suggested that handing Delph a prominent role in the dressing room may be an inspired decision.
“Delph could be very good for the club in the same way Phil Neville was when he joined from Manchester United in 2005. Neville demanded that standards be higher and was a force for good – and Delph will do the same,” he added.
“I’d give him the captain’s armband too and tell the rest of them to follow the leader because he will set the tone.”
It would probably be a surprise if Delph was immediately handed the captaincy at Goodison Park. But he will clearly play an important role as one of the senior players within the squad, and there is every chance that he will prove to be a fantastic signing for the Toffees in the coming years.
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