Pablo Zabaleta has confirmed he will be staying a City player for the coming season after talks with new manager Pep Guardiola. The right-back had seemed likely to leave the club this summer having failed to play much in the league last season, but will now stay in Manchester and play a part in the new era.
The defender had been most heavily linked with moves to Serie A, where the clubs have been keen on him for some time. Fiorentina were rumoured to be making a move for him a couple of years ago, but if they did City held off their challenge. However, last season he struggled with injuries and ended up losing his place as first-choice to Bacary Sagna, who gave a good account of himself in his second season at the club.
Despite this, he looks set to stay in Manchester, telling the Evening News: “There was a lot of speculation – that came from the media.
“I’ve always been away from that because I knew from the first day it was my decision [to stay]. I had been told by the new manager that I was part of this squad for this season, so I am more than pleased for this because City was my priority.
“I know I only have one year left on my contract, so that creates a lot of speculation about my future but I didn’t decide anything before I came back for pre-season to meet the manager and hear from him what was my situation. I am so happy to be part of Manchester City for this season.”
The 31-year-old’s comments came following a 3-2 friendly defeat to Arsenal in Sweden, in which Zabaleta started and played 68 minutes. How much he’ll play this season still remains to be seen, but Blues will be glad to have his work ethic and commitment to the club still in the squad for the coming year.
