Pablo Zabaleta

[Saul Goodman]

Shame for him.
Hopefully he comes into the season more driven than ever

[phips]

glad he's going to get a much needed rest before coming back to the squad

[Beefymcfc]

Could they be doing a sly one and getting Sagna in ahead of him ;-?

[stadiumcat]

Top pro, will be keeping fit even during the summer. Needs the break though worked like hell for the team last season and we will need the same again this season. Hopefully Sanga will be able to provide good backup when we need to rest him.

[Ted Hughes]

He's been looking very slow in recent times. Hopefully that is purely down to knackeredness & not a more long term thing.

Deserves the break whatever.

[Wonderwall]

Top pro, will be keeping fit even during the summer. Needs the break though worked like hell for the team last season and we will need the same again this season. Hopefully Sanga will be able to provide good backup when we need to rest him.

Sanga... I like that better than Sagna, or maybe we should just go for Sanka, would be way more cool

[Dameerto]

What was that bowel loosener that the old folks sang about in Family Guy? Wasn't that Sanka? (or something similar). It keeps me regular.

[Hutch's Shoulder]

What was that bowel loosener that the old folks sang about in Family Guy? Wasn't that Sanka? (or something similar). It keeps me regular.

So that's what he means by wanting to be our regular right-back..... Sorry...

[SomeMichaelGuy]

Did we already cover that he's had a stadium named after him?

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/ ... te-7449940

[frankswift]

Pablo's now been at City for six years.

He's the man.

[Beefymcfc]

Pablo's now been at City for six years.

He's the man.

Longer isn't it? If I'm not wrong, wasn't this the day that the Big Man took over the club?

However, Zabba, fooooooooooooooooooooooooooking Leg End. Fact! You'll be talking to your kids about him when they're bouncing their babies.

[phips]

out for Sheffield only, yes?

[Jon London]

Out for Sheffield Wednesday only but think Sagna will start against Hull in any case

[Moonchesteri]

Out for Sheffield Wednesday only but think Sagna will start against Hull in any case

I'd be surprised if that happens. We now have a great chance to rotate our fullbacks. Zabba yesterday, Sagna vs Sheffield, Zabba at Hull & then again Sagna vs Rome. Though of course Sagna could play both games next week and Zabba would rest until Roma.. Ah well, time will tell

[Cocacolajojo1]

From Chinners' bollox

[Avalon]

I tell you what, Costa has been involved in things like this every single game now and I don't think he's been punished for it. Even at the world cup when he headbutted Martins Indi of the Netherlands.

[Blue Since 76]

Out for Sheffield Wednesday only but think Sagna will start against Hull in any case

I'd be surprised if that happens. We now have a great chance to rotate our fullbacks. Zabba yesterday, Sagna vs Sheffield, Zabba at Hull & then again Sagna vs Rome. Though of course Sagna could play both games next week and Zabba would rest until Roma.. Ah well, time will tell

They'll definitely rotate, but I don't think it's a strict game each. Looking at left back, I think Pellegrini is trying to pick players based on the opponents strength or weakness - Kolarov has more physical presence and is better getting forwards, but Clichy is quicker. I can see the same happening with right back if Sagna is better in the air, for instance.

There's also no harm in an opposition not knowing which full back will play, since they all have their own strengths and weaknesses

[AntMcfc]

I hate to say it but it's time that Pellegrini was selective as when to play Zaba. He's been so poor defensively when up against a half decent wide player, Sagna is a much better defender. Gervinho ruined him, Hazard ruins him every time he plays against him. He's crucial to our attacking system but you can't let someone like Gervinho run riot against you.

[dazby]

Gervinho is the king of looking dangerous without providing any end product.

Not bovvered.

[Wonderwall]

I hate to say it but it's time that Pellegrini was selective as when to play Zaba. He's been so poor defensively when up against a half decent wide player, Sagna is a much better defender. Gervinho ruined him, Hazard ruins him every time he plays against him. He's crucial to our attacking system but you can't let someone like Gervinho run riot against you.

I thought Gervinho had him all ends up first 20mins, and then Zaba got to grips with it and Navas helped him double team. After that, Gervinho was no longer a threat, he even switched sides to take on Clichy because Zaba and Navas had him sussed