Former Manchester City and England midfielder Fabian Delph announced his retirement yesterday. Delph made 204 Premier League appearances for City, Everton, Aston Villa and Leeds. The 32-year-old won two Premier League titles during four years with City between 2015 and 2019. He also appeared in the FA Cup and League Cup finals with Villa, finishing as a runner-up on both occasions. Delph, who played 20 times for England, left City to join Everton three years ago but injuries restricted him to just 21 appearances in all competitions over the last two seasons. His contract with Everton expired at the end of last season and he has opted to hang up his boots after failing to find a new club.
Bellerin calf issue adds to Barca injury worries
Barcelona’s injury problems worsened after defender Hector Bellerin suffered a calf problem in training. The club said in a statement they would examine the injury, with Bellerin potentially joining several other players on the sidelines.
During the international break Barcelona have lost Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong with thigh and hamstring injuries. Uruguayan defender Araujo faces the longest absence after deciding to undergo surgery on a torn thigh muscle on Wednesday. He is poised to miss the World Cup and could be out for up to three months.
Bellerin joined in the summer from Arsenal on a one-year deal and is the only natural right-back at the club. If his injury causes him to miss Saturday’s clash with Real Mallorca then Barca may be short of cover. Injured duo Kounde and Araujo have both been used there often this season, while converted midfielder Sergi Roberto is also an option, but is not fully fit himself.
Brazil midfielder Allan leaves Everton for Al Wahda
Brazil midfielder Allan left Everton to join Abu Dhabi-based side Al Wahda for an undisclosed fee. Allan was allowed to move to the United Arab Emirates Pro League club after falling out of favour with Everton boss Frank Lampard.
The 31-year-old did not play a single minute for the Premier League team this season. Lampard signed Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana in the close season to fill Everton’s central midfield roles. Allan signed for Everton from Napoli in 2020 and played 57 games in his first two seasons with the Toffees. He was able to leave Everton outside the Premier League transfer window as the UAE deadline is not until next week.
Fifth man held over attack on French star Hamraoui
A fifth man has been taken into police custody following the brutal attack on French footballer Kheira Hamraoui, the prosecutor’s office said yesterday.
The man who is alleged to have been at the scene of the attack against the 32-year-old Paris Saint-Germain women’s star in Chatou, outside Paris in November 2021, has been in custody since Monday. Hamraoui’s former PSG and France teammate Aminata Diallo was detained on September 16 at the behest of the prosecutor’s office in Versailles after police arrested her and took her into custody for questioning.
Fabian Delph
