Bluemoon's Official Top 100 Favourite Manchester City Players

[Stoned Rose]

4. Pablo Zabaleta 101/1387

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Pablo Javier Zabaleta Girod is an Argentine former professional footballer who played as a right back. Zabaleta could operate on both sides of the pitch as a full-back and was known for his tenacious style of play, and has captained his club on numerous occasions.

With Manchester City, Zabaleta won all of English football's major honours: the FA Cup (2011), the Premier League (2012 and 2014), the League Cup (2014 and 2016) and the Community Shield (2012). Before joining Manchester City, Zabaleta played for La Liga club RCD Espanyol, where he won the 2005–06 Copa del Rey. He made 333 appearances over nine seasons for Manchester City before signing for London-based club West Ham United in the summer of 2017.

A full international since 2005, Zabaleta represented Argentina at the 2011 and 2015 Copa América, and was part of their team which finished as runners-up in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. He was also in their team which won gold at the 2008 Olympics.

In the summer of 2008, Zabaleta transferred to Premier League club Manchester City after rejecting an offer from Juventus. He stated upon joining that "The offer is impossible to reject and not just because of the money ... Juventus also wanted me but I wanted to come to England, and to Manchester."

Zabaleta was voted Manchester City's Player of the Month for both December 2012 and January 2013, and was stand-in captain for the club during Vincent Kompany's injury absence between January and March 2013. He was the only City player to be named in the 2012–13 Premier League PFA Team of the Year. After a superb season, Zabaleta was voted 2012–13 Manchester City Player of the Year.

Zabaleta made 32 appearances in all competitions in the 2016–17 season scoring two goals; against Watford in the Premier League and against Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup. His final appearance for Manchester City came on 16 May 2017, a 3–1 home win against West Bromwich Albion. After the game he was praised by the City manager, Pep Guardiola, as a "legend". Zabaleta was given a lifetime season ticket for Manchester City and a shirt that read "Zabaleta 333", to mark the number of City appearances he made.

An absolute God.

Very very worthy of 4th spot on the all time list.

 

[Stoned Rose]

Shows you how good this fans forum is when we have so many regular contributors like Bluehammer, who actually support other teams. As a group of supporters we are the friendliest most welcoming group there is.

We're nice if they're nice.

 

[kun]

On the subject of managers, just had a look at the manager rubric in the History section and to whoever may be listening (Ric? whoever looks after site maintenance?) it, ahem, rather badly needs updating.

the top 50 players is equally outdated.

 

[SatOnTheWall]

I miss Yaya’s 60 yard surges where he was seemingly unstoppable.

Forget his antics off the field, he’s one of our greatest ever players and among the best midfielders we’ve seen in the PL.

Why?

 

[Dr Jacoby]

Why?

I prefer to remember his outstanding performances

 

[Greenjob]

The amount of times Pablo came off the field of play with claret running down his face or legs. Tough as hell, warrior and natural born leader, loved him.

 

[Toulousain85]

Top 3 is more or less established imo: 3. Aguero 2. Silva 1. Kompany

 

[Gray]

I had 7 of the 1968 title winning team in my 20 and they all made it in. The ones I didn't include were Mulhern, Pardoe, Heslop and Coleman.

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

I find it staggering that Glauber Berti was as low as 95th.

I had him at No.1

Think he only got 1 vote though ;-)

 

[AlexWilliamsGloves]

1) Vinnie
2) Merlin
3) Kun