Football
Richard Jolly, ESPN.com writer 9y

Joe Hart: Fabian Delph has 'massive opportunity' at City; Sterling excited

Joe Hart believes Fabian Delph has a "massive opportunity" to make a major impact at Manchester City by replacing Frank Lampard and James Milner.

Delph signed for the Premier League runners-up for £8 million from Aston Villa on Friday, when he agreed a five-year contract at the Etihad Stadium.

And goalkeeper Hart feels the summer departures of Lampard, who scored eight goals in 38 games in his lone season for City, and Milner, who played 201 times in five years for the club, leave vacancies in the midfield the newcomer can fill.

"It is a massive, massive opportunity for him," Hart told City's official website. "It is really big for us. We lost two really important midfielders last year in Frank and James so it was important we signed someone like Delphy. He is young but has been on the radar for a long time. He has come into his own recently."

Delph's fellow England international Raheem Sterling has become City's most expensive player after joining from Liverpool for a fee that could rise to £49 million.

And Hart said the winger is pleased to put the acrimonious saga of his transfer behind him as he tipped Sterling to succeed for his new club.

"He is excited to be here," he added. "He has a had a tough time getting here but it is done now. He is definitely going to help us. He is a young player, an exciting player, and it is only going to mean good things for Man City."

While Sterling joined from Liverpool, Milner has gone in the opposite direction and Hart admitted he will miss the 29-year-old.

"I was gutted James has gone but football is football," he said. "I won't lose him as a friend but I am gutted to lose him as a footballer. He has been fantastic for us in all five seasons he has been here. He is an awesome player. I love Milly, with the ball and without."

Hart, who said he is "proud" to be City's longest-serving player after Micah Richards moved on, believes they have to do better on all fronts after a disappointing 2014-15 campaign.

"It's pretty obvious what we've got to look to do after a trophy-less season last year," he explained. "We need to try and win everything. We need to look to win the league, do better in Europe and do a lot better in both domestic cups. Simple, really."

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