We’ve got some incredible players at West Ham, but we don’t have many that have 5 major English trophies on their resume. Pablo Zabaleta has exactly that, stemming from his time at Man City, and that experience is absolutely invaluable at the London Stadium.
Sure, we aren’t going to be challenging for the Premier League anytime soon, but the mere fact that he’s been there and done it at the highest level can only help to inspire his teammates to reach the same level.
It’s no surprise, then, that Manuel Pellegrini wants him to remain at the London Stadium next season. According to the Evening Standard, Zabaleta is set for talks over his West Ham future with his manager, with the boss keen to keep him around. Significantly, he’s got no plans to retire from the game, and so that perhaps should work in our favour.
His contract expires at the end of the season, and at 34-years-old, you’d expect that a one-year contract offer could be on the horizon for the Argentinian.
Zabaleta has been a regular for the Hammers this season, having featured in 22 Premier League games under Manuel Pellegrini.
Verdict
Keeping hold of a player like Zabaleta is crucially important for two reasons. As mentioned, his experience is almost unrivalled in the West Ham squad, and with that comes a natural drive for winning and success; and the more of that we have, the better.
However, beyond that, despite his age, he’s still a very capable player. He’s had a few moments of weakness, but generally speaking, Zabaleta has been a consistent option in the heart of the West Ham team. Offering a decent threat going forward and solid defending at the back, he’s an option upon which the Hammers can rely.
Sure, he’s not going to be getting any better over the next year, but if he’s able to maintain his level, he’ll continue to be very useful. Even if he doesn’t play as often, he’ll still be able to have an impact behind the scenes.
Thoughts?
