OPINION
Newcastle need to be at the top of the pile when it comes to securing midfielder Fabian Delph’s signature this summer.
The Daily Telegraph reported on Wednesday that Manchester City are prepared to listen to offers of £12m for the midfield kingpin, 27, and that a number of Premier League clubs are circling the Etihad Stadium to try and secure a deal.
Ahead of their return to the Premier League after a one season absence, Newcastle will be looking to recruit a number of players this season as Rafael Benitez looks to secure the Magpies’ place in the top flight.
Here are three reasons Benitez must ensure the Magpies land Delph this summer.
Premier League experience
If there is one thing Benitez is looking for this summer, it is top flight experience. He has made it very clear that is his priority this summer and so Delph’s name will almost certainly have already been mentioned in backroom meetings. With 136 top flight appearances, the 27-year-old is a proven Premier League performer, and would add exactly what the Spanish manager wants to the centre of the park. With only three central midfield players holding top flight appearances (Jack Colback, Jonjo Shelvey, Mohamed Diame), Delph would be a perfect addition to the squad.
Attacking quality
One thing that was proven during Newcastle’s Championship campaign was their reliance on Jonjo Shelvey. More often than not, a poor performance from the 25-year-old was reflected in the result, as the rest of Newcastle’s team failed to produce the same attacking quality as Shelvey. The midfielder cannot be expected to hold the team’s attacking hopes on his shoulders again, so investment in attack minded midfielders is a must. Step forward Fabian Delph, who’s flair and quality in midfield would prove instrumental in Newcastle’s season. His signing would not only be an injection of quality, but introduce competition to the likes of Shelvey for the first time, which in turn would improve individual performances all around the pitch.
Delph’s point to prove
The 27-year-old’s move to Manchester City has not worked out quite how he would have liked. After joining from Aston Villa in a controversial move, Delph has failed to nail down a starting role in the City side, with injuries playing their part in limiting his involvement. He has made just 10 Premier League starts for the Sky Blues and has lost his place in the England set up, having made nine appearances for the national side. What Delph needs is a team where he can once again prove himself and his qualities, and hit the form which earned him his England call-ups. Newcastle would provide him with the perfect platform, so Benitez should go all out to secure his signing.