This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Everton midfielder Fabian Delph withdrew from the England squad earlier this week having picked up an injury in the club’s defeat over Burnley, and it is the last thing manager Marco Silva needs.
The 29-year-old played the entire fixture at the weekend but has returned to Merseyside because of the hamstring injury which bothered him at Turf Moor. Delph earned his way back into the Three Lions squad having been one of the standout players for Everton during a torrid time for the club.
Since moving from Manchester City in the summer, the former Aston Villa man has slotted into the midfield in the absence of Andre Gomes and averaged 2.8 tackles per game and 59.8 passes per match at a success rate of 86.6% (as per WhoScored). He has remained relatively consistent and provided a bit more stability for the Toffees in defence so far, and was deserving of regaining his England spot.
Watch Everton Live Streams With StreamFootball.tv Below
The extent of his injury, however, is yet unknown, but as he managed to play the full 90 minutes over the weekend, it should not be too much of a worry for the long term. However, for even just one match, Marco Silva cannot lose the midfielder, considering injuries already in the position and the poor form of Morgan Schneiderlin.
Before the trip to Burnley, the Frenchman scored a 4/10 rating from The Liverpool Echo in the defeat to Sheffield United, a 5/10 for his efforts against Manchester City and, at Turf Moor, Schneiderlin earned himself another shocking 4/10.
Furthermore, Gomes is only just returning to action after missing four games since injuring his rib against Wolverhampton Wanderers. The former Barcelona man came on in the 84th minute over the weekend, whilst Jean-Philippe Gbamin has still not played since injuring himself in the second game of the season, with no return date set.
If Delph is to have a spell on the sidelines, it will give Silva even less options in midfield, and most likely force in Tom Davies who has seen just 20 minutes of Premier League action so far.
