Fabian Delph is expected to become Manchester City’s first signing this summer after the club activated the midfielder’s £8m release clause in his contract with Aston Villa.
City require homegrown players and Delph’s profile as an established England international and Villa captain has convinced Manuel Pellegrini, the manager, that he has the requisite quality for the club.
However, Delph, who is not with Villa on their pre-season tour of Portugal, understands it will be difficult to establish himself given the chequered history of other English players who have been signed by City recently. Scott Sinclair and Jack Rodwell each failed to make an impact after joining from Swansea City and Everton, respectively.
Sinclair is now at Villa, Rodwell at Sunderland and their countryman James Milner has left City for Liverpool. The 29-year-old Milner did enjoy a successful career at the club, winning every major domestic trophy, but was still frustrated in his attempt to hold down a starting place in central midfield.
This is the position Delph hopes to play but as City have Yaya Touré, Fernandinho and Fernando as regular first-team players in the position the 25-year-old has a stiff challenge.
Micah Richards, another Englishman whose career at City faltered, warned Delph this week about making the move. The right-back, who is also at Villa, said: “Every player wants to play at the highest level. If he’s going to be playing Champions League, I don’t know, but if he’s going there to be a squad player, then no. James Milner has played six or seven positions and still wanted to leave.
“So if he gets assurances he’s going to play then the decision is his. I wouldn’t say don’t go to Manchester City, because if he’s playing well he could play.”
Delph signed a new four-year contract at Villa in January and said at the time: “I am a loyal person and committing my future will hopefully show everybody what type of guy I am. Hopefully it will give everyone a bit of a lift and show the fans that we are looking to do big things here and bring excitement back to the club. We want to get through this season, do well and I feel the up-and-coming years will be big. There was no way I was going to bail out. I am here for the long run.”