Lots of Everton fans have been reacting on social media after Fabian Delph hit back at supporters, who had criticised the midfielder in private messages for his recent performances in Royal Blue.
Delph moved to Goodison Park from champions Manchester City in the summer as part of a £10million deal, and signed a three-year, £80,000-per-week contract after deciding to leave the Etihad Stadium in search of regular playing time.
The England international has since started nine of 21 Premier League games, three of four Carabao Cup matches and was a substitute in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat to Liverpool during what has proven to be an injury-plagued campaign.
Delph suffered a groin injury just five minutes into our pre-season friendly with Werder Bremen and would miss the opening three matches of the Premier League term.
The 30-year-old was later forced to miss our encounter with West Ham United on October 19 through a hamstring gripe, that would force Delph to miss a further seven games after reaggravating the issue in November.
Delph’s most recent outing for the Toffees came from the bench in Sunday’s FA Cup defeat at Liverpool, and a few supporters have messaged the 20-cap international some abuse through various social media channels.
Does Delph have a future at Goodison after this?
Yes
No
One supporter has shared screenshots of his interaction with Delph, having laid into the midfielder for telling teammate Mason Holgate to “have some respect” in a recent fixture when he deserves none for his performances in Royal Blue.
Delph replied by suggesting that the supporter was a “delusional little boy” after claiming he would have done better than the 30-year-old, while another fan is alleged to have messaged the midfielder stating that they would have at least shown a bit of fight against Liverpool.
To this, Delph is said to have replied that the supporter would not echo the same sentiments in person, but rather “ask for a picture” and that they were a “disgrace” for spouting abuse behind a computer screen.
This comes after reports claimed a selection of senior players hit back at assistant coach Duncan Ferguson for questioning their fight at Liverpool, with players suggesting Carlo Ancelotti’s tactics were to blame for the result.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Delph’s communications with supporters on social media…
The fans completely right however should of made it into a group chat and putt all the players in instead of just going at Delph
— Cullo1878 (@alexmcculloug12) January 7, 2020
Looks like Delph will be getting an extra dose of abuse on Saturday then. Things you love to see.
— Prince Rupert 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹 (@RBjimmy) January 7, 2020
He’s got nothing but a mouth! No pace or creativity and a terrible injury record. Has brought nothing to Everton!
— Simon Cooper (@simoncooper107) January 7, 2020
Not the greatest of ideas…
— Frankie Boyle (@Frankieboyle51) January 7, 2020
“You’d ask for a picture” what a reply hahah
— RoidzSzn (@Roided_up_Robbo) January 8, 2020
Actual Abuse to players won’t do any good. And fairs to Fabian, at least he cares a bit.
— Soggy 💦 Jeff (@LP666LP) January 7, 2020
Disagree. Think Delph misses the point completely and handled that like a tit. Average player at best that’s been here two minutes and trying to tell a blue how much it means. Do one.
— Steve (@stevey_toff) January 7, 2020
Give him the Armband
— D (@FatWeightlifter) January 7, 2020
Other players who deserve it far more
— Adam (@AdamJ1878) January 7, 2020
In other Everton news, the club have reportedly been blocked from signing a £13.5million-rated defender in the January window.