Pablo Zabaleta's popularity

[citymad]

We've just got ourselves a dog...and called it Zaba

By Popular vote

I hope it is a terrier :)

Ermm...no

It's a bichon shi'tsu. I know I know, but it is in the biting the ankles phase, so it's apt at the moment.

When he gets old and off the pace we'll rename him Fellaini.

and if he gets a liking to cake...........

 

[Rascal]

Agree with everything said so far but would add he is also genuinely nice bloke.

Took my friend and her niece down to the Etihad one training day and afterwards Zabba came over to waiting fans. He had time for everyone, smiling laughing and nothing was too much trouble. My friends niece asked Zabba to marry her, Zabs with a huge grin said to her "sorry you are too late, I just got married" my mates niece cant you divprce her then to which Zabba genuinely pissed his laughing. Just that little bit of interaction made my mates niece year.

 

[1998 blue]

I agree with a lot of this. When he arrived at city I wasn't impressed.. His decision making was poor and sometimes cost us such as his sending off in the 3-2 loss to Liverpool. However over time his bravery and determination started to shine through. He puts his body on the line week in week out. The first season I seriously started to think we had a top quality player was the year we won the FA cup and the following year he made the right back position his own. Last season he was the best player by an absolute mile and this season he has shown he is a true champion. Zabaleta is without doubt a manchester city legend. I genuinely hope he stays with us for the rest of his career.

*life

 

[NorCalBlue]

I don't need to reiterate the many excellent qualities mentioned in most of the posts on this thread, but for me, his best attribute is his ability to read and understand the game. It allows him to be a much more effective defender and make just the right runs further upfield. He's always in the right place, and must be a pleasure to play with (I can tell Silva like's working with him). Even when he was making the odd rash challenge early on in his time with us (Demichelis anyone...?), you could see his understanding of the game. Sort of the anti-Micah, you might say (not trying to bash Micah, but let's face it, the lad doesn't exactly have a football brain).

 

[rnblade]

Work rate, passion, desire, heart, all the things we love about him. I hope he retires with us and goes on to coach the juniors, he is a fantastic role model for all young wannabe professionals.
IMO player of the season!

 

[laserblue]

Zaba plays like a fan. Like it really means something to him. Wonderful player and a prize asset. Makes Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker look like, well, Glen Johnson and Kyle Walker.

 

[BlueForever123]

My lad is coming up to 8 and he's just been asked to pick his squad number for the local team he plays for for next season. Most kids his age want the number 9 or 10 and the glory of being the goal scorer etc. Without blinking he asked if number 5 was available. You can all guess the reason why.

 

[avoidconfusion]

Zabaleta is my most favourite player at City.

 

[sir baconface]

My lad is coming up to 8 and he's just been asked to pick his squad number for the local team he plays for for next season. Most kids his age want the number 9 or 10 and the glory of being the goal scorer etc. Without blinking he asked if number 5 was available. You can all guess the reason why.

I'm guessing it's his age.

 

[Brightwell’s left peg]

I hope it is a terrier :)

Ermm...no

It's a bichon shi'tsu. I know I know, but it is in the biting the ankles phase, so it's apt at the moment.

When he gets old and off the pace we'll rename him Fellaini.

and if he gets a liking to cake...........

Rooney