Ryan Fredericks appears to have inherited the right-back position from Pablo Zabaleta and has not done too badly in coping with two very dangerous wingers in Sadio Mane and Wilfried Zaha. As the games tick away with the former Fulham man in possession it eats into the number of games – 28 – required by Zaba to trigger a new contract.There has been regular talk of the 34-year-old imminent retirement despite him still looking a class act when he appears in the first team. So the big question is whether the younger man should now retain possession of the job until the end of the season or whether Zaba should be given regular opportunities to show that there’s still plenty left in the tank.
Today’s poll asks the question: Is it time for the club to thank Zaba for two great years or offer him a third regardless of games played?
Doesn’t matter if Fredericks retains the shirt now until the last game, Zaba needs to stay, he is priceless as a driving force, he can only be good for Fredericks development & even if it is just cover we don’t have any other position where “just cover” would be so good. For me this has to be a priority as much as getting in new talent. He is a leader and we have few enough of those.
The poll is flawed.
A contract for Zab would very much depend on whether we can sign a better right back in the summer. If Zab goes we need a replacement and there’s no point if it’s not an improvement.
Can’t see the poll. If Zaba is not going to retire then we should keep him on – he’s a major assett. I wouldn’t want him playing elsewhere in the Prem.
Hang on, Fredericks was being slagged off on here for his performance against Palace, now all of a sudden he “didn’t do too badly”? Make your mind up chaps. Zabaleta should be offered a new deal in a heartbeat.