Everton boss Frank Lampard has paid tribute to Fabian Delph after he announced his retirement this week.
Delph, 32, joined Everton from Manchester City for £8.5million in 2019 but his three years on Merseyside were blighted by injury problems.
Asked in his pre-match press conference for Everton's trip to Southampton whether he was surprised by Delph's decision, Lampard said: “No. I had a good relationship with Delphy and I spoke with him at the back end of last season and I knew it was on the cards.
“I just want to congratulate him on a great career, because I think he had a really positive career. I played against him, he played for his country a good few times and he was a big part of us staying in the league last year in that cameo of a few games that he played and I wish him well in the choices he makes going forward."