5 most improved Manchester City players under Pep Guardiola 

#4 Fabian Delph

Delph has shocked everyone (except Pep) with his performances in an unfamiliar role

The best word to describe Delph’s performances this season has been miraculous. This is a player who everyone expected to be sold or loaned out as it did not seem that he had a role to play in the new look team Pep was fashioning.

After a rumoured move to Stoke City broke down, Pep decided to keep the Englishman and former Aston Villa captain.

Delph was expected to play second fiddle to Fernandinho and ?lkay Gündo?an in central midfield but an injury to the team’s only recognized left back; Mendy meant that a slot in the first team opened up, an opportunity which Delph has taken with both hands.

While it is not clear to outsiders if Pep had always had it in mind to play Delph as a left back this season, his decision not to buy a second left back was viewed with alarm by Citizens, an alarm that went up several notches following Mendy’s injury.

Delph has been exceptional since he came into the team and is a strong candidate to fill the left back position in the Premier League’s Team of the Season.

He has played in 13 straight games in the league and has one goal. His defending has been characterized by his calmness in distribution, tenacity in tackling and ability to come into midfield and give the team an extra body in the middle.

Apart from the error which led to a goal in the Manchester Derby, he has been near faultless in his defensive duties and is a testament to Guardiola’s genius in developing players.