Manchester City Forums

77. Pablo Zabaleta
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Manchester City and Argentina
Born: Buenos Aires
Age: 28

There was a theory abroad at the last World Cup that Argentina didn’t produce full-backs. There may be some truth in that, but the full-back they do have is majestic. Zabaleta is a slow burn of a footballer, somebody whose excellence sneaks up on you. He doesn’t score many goals, dribble by people or make exceptional passes, although he uses the ball sensibly, sets up his fair share of goals and, perhaps best of all, doesn’t seem to have any notion that running into things might hurt. Zabaleta is essentially a tackle in human form, a mechanism that specialises in throwing itself at somebody running with a ball. He is also, at last, a regular in the Argentina national side and was a significant factor in them topping South American qualifying.

73. Álvaro Negredo
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Manchester City and Spain
Born: Madrid
Age: 28

Everyone in Spain knew that Negredo was good; perhaps they didn’t know he was quite this good. Continuity and opportunity have been the key. If you did a checklist of qualities demanded by a striker, he would have virtually all of them: clever, technical, strong and quick, able to score goals and bring others into play. But there was always that lingering doubt. If he thought the doubt was based more on whom he played for than how he played, he has been proven right. Now, no one doubts. The move to Manchester City has been good for him.

Sid Lowe