Slaven Bilic has not been able to lift West Ham to a European place finish this season but is expected to stay at the club. He is already making plans for some top class transfers this summer and the latest name linked with a move to the Olympic Stadium is Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta.
Reports today suggest that the Hammers are closing in on his signature and there are very few obstacles for this deal. For starters, Italian side AC Milan are also looking at the City full-back as an option but with experience in the English league, Zabaleta is expected to move to London this summer. So is he a decent acquisition for West Ham?
Primarily a right-back, Zabaleta has also been used as a CDM by Pep Guardiola this season, to add some mettle to the midfield. Known for his crunching tackles and reading of the game, the 32-year old is one of the smartest players around the world of football.
He is strong and adept at holding on to the ball and is also an excellent passer. His key pass ratio is higher than most full-backs in the league and he is nothing less of a creator than any other young full-back going around at the moment.
His ability to do the dirty work and his enthusiasm to help his side even when down and out are two attributes that will make him a perfect fit at West Ham. The Hammers have used young Sam Byram as a right back while Michail Antonio was used as a wing-back on the right side this season. Zabaleta can play in either position next season for Slaven Bilic.
The Argentine joined Manchester City back in 2008 and has been a mainstay in the team ever since. He has more than 230 appearances for the club in the league and has also represented Argentina’s senior squad on more than 50 occasions, making him one of the most experienced players in his position in Europe.
However, at 32 he is not the first choice at the Etihad and is ready to move on and West Ham could help him make one final push before he quits the game. West Ham are not in Europe next season and will not have too many games in their hands to shuffle their stars and at his age, Zabaleta can still play every week in the league, solving West Ham’s problems on the flank. But do you think he is the right man?
