Pablo Zabaleta is becoming a hero of mine!
Amid all the compliments thrown around this weekend towards the likes of Arnie, Nobes and Declan, the Argentine right back is rarely mentioned.
Yet here he is at 33 years age having seemingly found another two or three yards of pace this season.
In the face of competition from summer signing Ryan Fredericks – eight years his junior – Zaba has demonstrated an incredible resilience in the world’s toughest and fastest league.
He may well have been incentivised by his former Manchester City boss’ arrival but whatever regardless of that whatever he’s on I want some.
His defensive abilities are undimmed and his ability to get forward fast was never better demonstrated than for his assist on Anderson’s first goal on Saturday.
I rarely saw him put a foot wrong throughout and he was always looking to get down the right side whenever he could because he – better than most perhaps – understands the Pellegrini script.
I have no doubt either that he is acting as a dressing room adviser on Pellegrini’s way of playing to those who have the odd question here and there.
Some questioned whether at his age it was a great idea to sign him on a free and he has answered all of that with a series of excellent displays.
He and Mark Noble are rolling back the years and acting as the ideal role models for the younger players.
COYI
I agree he looks so much better in the last 3 games,long may it continue and hopefully Fredricks will want to be even better to get in the team.
He is quite simply one of the very best right backs ever to play in the premier league if not the best. He was a hero of mine the first training session when he gave Ashley Fletcher a rocket for not training with same intensity as when he played, he is a proper player I hope he can pass on his defensive wisdom to Ryan Fredericks because Fredericks definitely has the potential but he needs the same football brain as Zaba if he is going to succeed.
Spot on Hughie
He’s been superb, the consummate pro.
Having experienced premier league players like Zaba and Nobes in the team can only help the youngsters and those new to the premier league. We’ve got a really balanced and good blend of youth and experience at the moment in this team.
after all the Noble haters and the people who shouted about Zabaleta’s age in a way that was not descent now perhaps those who chose to be that way will now see fit to follow the TEAM
we didnt have the best pleyers at the time but most of us still were part of it NO MATTER WHAT now you have those players BUT Noble and Zabaleta are still part of it
What Does That Say people???
just to add Zabaleta is one of the most honest players in the prem and still does the stuff at his age. i know he will have to go at some point but if he is enjoying it and still wants to play then why not.
Ginge should never have been able to leave because experienced players should never be let go especially when that person WANTED TO BE PART of it and could have and still can teach the younger players