Zabaleta- Cult hero

[Yffi_88]

This is all i need to post.

LEGEND.

Yep. This is the picture of Zab i have in my head.

Usually when im having one of my 'City Wanks'.

Top player, massive performance last night.

[trout man]

Legend...end of story

[ant london]

says it all.....

[Seanyod]

Zabaletta's attitude is second to none. He does loads in the community he lives in as well, football with kids etc. He was the first to take aguero out to a meat place he found to get argentine meat to help him feel at home when he joined. To which agguero thanked him for on twitter. Last year he went to Argentina to sit by his dads bedside while was very ill, no training, then got back for the FA cup semi final and played his heart out against united .
In an era where most footballers are spoilt brats , this lad has pure class.
That aside, he's still a top right back. Not as good as Micah but for me Micah is one of, if not the best in the world. Zabaletta would get in most prem teams.
He loves city, and is one of us.

[PeterParker]

To be fair to Zabs, he has a better ball control ability than Micah. Just remember what a screamer he scored with Fulham last year and almost every cross he makes is good. I wouldn't trade him for no money/player in the world.

Every club needs a player like him for the dressing room.

[Dameerto]

Zabs is a Blue.

[Sister of fu]

For every Yaya Toure, David Silva or Sergio Aguero you need a Pablo Zabaleta. I can never once think of a time when he has let me down. He comes in plays to a very consistent level, never moans when he is not in the team or squad and puts his body on the line. I would say he plays how a fan would play. He has cut the rashness out of his game and seems far more controlled than when he first rocked up.

I think if he played in most other teams in the premier in would be a regular starter without a doubt. I have nothing but good things to say about our Zabba and wouldn’t swap him for any other full back in the league.

People outside City love to go on about players only being here for the money and so on and so fourth, I guess that don’t look at Zabs. You just know he has City in his heart and sweats blood for the cause.

[Colin the King]

Out of curiosity, why isn't he considered world class? People say he never puts a foot wrong and performs at 100% in whatever position he's asked to play, and given that he's playing for one of the best sides in Europe, how does that not constitute he himself having that status?

An outstanding defender who compensates for any lack of pace with great tactical awareness and sheer determination.

[Dubciteh]

Out of curiosity, why isn't he considered world class? People say he never puts a foot wrong and performs at 100% in whatever position he's asked to play, and given that he's playing for one of the best sides in Europe, how does that not constitute he himself having that status?

An outstanding defender who compensates for any lack of pace with great tactical awareness and sheer determination.

Out of curiosity, where ya been?!

[lets all have a disco]

Out of curiosity, why isn't he considered world class? People say he never puts a foot wrong and performs at 100% in whatever position he's asked to play, and given that he's playing for one of the best sides in Europe, how does that not constitute he himself having that status?

An outstanding defender who compensates for any lack of pace with great tactical awareness and sheer determination.

Out of curiosity, where ya been?!

I could ask the same.

[King Kev]

Zabs is a Blue.

I was talking about this before the game. I think the conversation was sparked by seeing Paul Dickov and Uwe Rosler at City Square before the game.

Some players come and go and you tend to think of them as just another player. But the likes of Zabaleta, Vinnie and Micah are one of us.

[Rag_hater]

I don't think people give him enough credit for his playing ability.For me his crossing is as good as anybody else we have in the side

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Out of curiosity, why isn't he considered world class? People say he never puts a foot wrong and performs at 100% in whatever position he's asked to play, and given that he's playing for one of the best sides in Europe, how does that not constitute he himself having that status?

An outstanding defender who compensates for any lack of pace with great tactical awareness and sheer determination.

I think the 'world class' label is branded about far too easily now adays. It should only be reserved for the very best players in the world.

If he played for any other side he'd be their first choice right back.

[Renato_CTID]

One of the best players in his role, unbelievable why Pablo is so under-rated even after fantastic performances like yesterday!

[Bridge'srightfoot]

Bump. He actually played really well towards the end of the season. His energy to get forward and help out was brilliant.
It makes me wonder who will be our first choice RB next season. I'd always thought Zabs was a quality back up and squad player but recently he's convinced me that he's good enough to be a regular starter. Then you have Richards aswell though.

Think Richards's main strengths lie in his power and pace to get forward and he can be really dangerous, also improved defensively.
Zabs though probably has the better ball control and intelligence and has really cut down the 'rashness' in his game.
Tough choice.

[Dameerto]

I think Zabs has developed a lot this season as a player, and it will be interesting to see if he is picked in the friendly against Brazil next month. I really think we will start to see him featuring regularly for his country. What a fantastic choice for Bob to have to make on a matchday too, Micah or Zabs?

[markuse]

I do seriously believe he can become our own version of Javier Zanetti. He's just so consistent and resilient whenever and wherever he is playing

[Blue Since 76]

I was thrilled for him when he scored. If there was one player I'd have wanted to score the winning goal from that line up, it was him. Not the most talented in the squad, but probably the hardest working. He can be brilliant then gets dropped for the next game and never complains, at least not publicly. If you asked him to fill in in net, you'd be watching wondering whether he should keep the place ahead of Joe.

In that dream that I'm sure every football fan has had where you turn up at the ground and are asked to play because X is unavailable, you play like Zab. 100% effort, never pull out of anything, leave the field with a Terry Butcher style bandage and blood everywhere.

In next season's CL final, everyone is going to be asking why other players didn't nullify Messi like Zabba did.

[Niall Quinns Discopants]

Out of curiosity, why isn't he considered world class? People say he never puts a foot wrong and performs at 100% in whatever position he's asked to play, and given that he's playing for one of the best sides in Europe, how does that not constitute he himself having that status?

An outstanding defender who compensates for any lack of pace with great tactical awareness and sheer determination.

I didn't even read the topic first time around but this is precisely what I thought reading the first post. For arguments sake, I'd like people to list 5 better fullbacks.

[Lonzo11]

I've just joined up today lads and immediately had to add to this zabba thread, what I guy, city through and through, just wonder, with inevitable improvements to our team this summer are his days numbered? Great squad player though and great to have around.