‘Nice guy’ Delph is fitting in

BEING captain of England in midfield one week to playing left-back for the finest team in the Premier League the next? No trouble at all for Fabian Delph.

And no trouble at all was exactly what City had on Saturday at the London Stadium in keeping their grip on top spot in the Premier League.

Teams occasionally target Delph because he is not a natural left-back and could be a potential weak spot in a team that does not have many.

They usually find they are wrong – as West Ham did. Slotting into the role with Benjamin Mendy injured, once again the 29-year-old was his usual unflappable self.

There are more glamorous names to wax lyrical about in this City team, such as Leroy Sane, who lit up the game with two goals, and David Silva and Raheem Sterling, both of whom also scored.

Despite the fact that this was only his third start in a league game this season, Delph helps this City side fit together so seamlessly.

Delph had skippered England for the first time against the USA nine days earlier and Guardiola said: “The reason he can do all these things and play in different positions is because he is a nice guy.

“You cannot be the England captain and help the team if you are not a good guy. Fabian is an important player for us. Last season he helped us by playing in that position when Mendy was injured, and he did well.

“It is not easy when you play in different positions but he has. There is always room for the team to improve, but