Pep is just fab
Delph hails Spaniard’s early impact and unique training method
LONDON: Fabian Delph says he has learnt more in three weeks under Pep Guardiola than he has done in his entire career previously.
England international Delph had an injury-plagued first season at City after his £8mil (RM43mil) move from Aston Villa – and there were rumours of his departure when Guardiola replaced Manuel Pellegrini in charge at the Etihad.
The 26-year-old has worked under Dennis Wise, Simon Grayson, Martin O’Neill, Paul Lambert and Manuel Pellegrini – but says Guardiola is different and lavished praise on his techniques.
Speaking ahead of today’s International Champions Cup clash against Manchester United in Beijing, he told BBC Sport: “When I first met the new manager, I did feel a bit of a lift.
“He’s been fantastic from day one, knew everybody’s names from day one.
“I’d say I’ve learnt more in these three weeks than I have throughout my whole career.
“It is a big statement but it is the truth.
“The systems that he’s trying to implement are unbelievable, the intensity that he’s brought to the group is frightening.
“He’s a perfectionist and, to be fair, everyone is pulling together and trying to implement what he wants us to do on the training field.”
Guardiola has won numerous trophies in charge of Barcelona and Bayern Munich before arriving in Manchester this summer, earning a reputation for being one of the finest coaches in the modern era.
And Delph, who was named in England’s provisional Euro 2016 squad was not selected for Roy Hodgson’s final 23-man party through injury, added: “It is the way he simplifies things.
“His way of playing. The way he sees things. You will see what he is trying to do in the forthcoming games.
“The manager has a lot of different systems and it is all about learning different positions.
“It’s been a big learning curve. It’s been amazing for me and I’m really looking forward to the rest of the season.”
City had a poor season last year finishing fourth, and finished a distant second to Chelsea in 201415 as Pellegrini failed to build on a memorable title triumph in his first season in charge.