THIS season Sagna has been head and shoulders above Zab.
And to the person who said his possible replacement will have to hit the ground running...Lets not forget the legend that is Pablo had a very, very ordinary start to his City career.
Zab has been in decline for 18 months, it's not just happened, he has had little or no rest for the best part of 3 seasons, and it's hit him hard.This season I agree sagna has deserved to be started ahead of zab, but only because zab has been going througg an injury recovery and never got to his best, that swhy a rest and pre season may give him a chance of staying.
Any player who comes in should get time to settle and shouldn't be given a bad time while they do. course they don't need to hit the ground running.
I think a lot of it is heart ruling head. He's looked a poor imitation of himself when playing recently, and I'm not sure how much form he can regain even after his operation. It will be interesting to see what Guardiola makes of it all. I don't think he'll give a squad place to someone on sentimentality, so if Zabaletta is in the squad next season it will mean he's good enough.
malg in his reply to the same post seems to understand my point, and the point is that no player should be played on the basis of what he has done in the past. Pellegrini has been accused of picking players on the basis of reputation rather than the job that needed to be done, and it's wrong. Zab has been everything you could ask of a player but he just isn't good enough to play at the top level anymore. Why would we want him to carry on for another season and be remembered for how crap he became rather than how good he was. I just think there should be no mawkish sentimentality when it comes to team selection and player retention. If they're good enough to do the job keep them, if not then thank them and move them on.can I politely ask exactly whats your point? all those saying keep zab have stated the hope a recovery time post op and pre season would see him return to a level of play that makes him an asset, or that he can be found a role in the club in the future.
Pellers bad tactics and team selection has fuck all to do with it.
I want Zab to stay, but although I will be gutted if he goes, I understand the team needs to renew, calling him toast by some (not yourself) is a bit presumtious, pep may yet want him, Sagna is no better or worse inho.
And for me it is probably heart ruling head , don't think I have loved a player as a blue legend since the kegan era, especially not a right back, not since Andy Hills time
malg in his reply to the same post seems to understand my point, and the point is that no player should be played on the basis of what he has done in the past. Pellegrini has been accused of picking players on the basis of reputation rather than the job that needed to be done, and it's wrong. Zab has been everything you could ask of a player but he just isn't good enough to play at the top level anymore. Why would we want him to carry on for another season and be remembered for how crap he became rather than how good he was. I just think there should be no mawkish sentimentality when it comes to team selection and player retention. If they're good enough to do the job keep them, if not then thank them and move them on.
Because once age catches up with you, that's it. Sagna won't be here either.And you have missed what I said, if he recovers from his op and has a good pre-season and proves he can perform then he should be given a chance to stay, and I doubt any fan will remember zab negatively even if his last season was one on the wane.
I just don't get why he is being written off at 31, while sagna has had a good season off the back of a good pre-season, why do people assume he will repeat that the year after all he is probably into his last season a 35. I juat think all the squad if fit and able should be given the chance to prove their worth both zab amd sagna, my only exception is kolarov he can go
Total legend of a man , would love to see him still here next season refreshed and ready. The problem in the modern era is the fact that players play far too many games and it takes its toll .I really hope he gets back to the form he was showing back in 11-13. If he can, we should keep him. He's my favourite player in the squad. But it has to be said, he's a long way off that form this past 12-18 months. Can he get back to what he was? I'm not sure. What is he now; 31. If we can get another year (two max) out of him at his best form, I'd be delighted.