He may not be eye-catching, but superb Zabaleta should be Player of the Year
By Neil Ashton
PUBLISHED: 23:39, 29 January 2013 | UPDATED: 08:21, 30 January 2013
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Almost every season the PFA Players’ Player of the Year award is picked up by one of the game’s most eye-catching names.
Kevin Keegan, Alan Shearer, Thierry Henry, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have all been first past the post with the players’ vote over the years.
They are goalscorers, grabbing headlines with their match-winning performances at the very highest level of the game.
Unsung hero: Man City's Pablo Zabaleta (right) should be on the shortlist for the PFA Player of the Year accolade
Threat: Zabaleta loves getting forward to boost City's attacking options - he hit the bar at QPR
This year there should be an avalanche of votes for Pablo Zabaleta. In 39 years of the award, only four defenders have won the most prestigious individual honour in the top flight.
This time pros should make room for a fifth and nominate Manchester City’s right back.
A place on the shortlist should be the minimum.
He has been outstanding for the Barclays Premier League champions again this year and, at 28, is the ultimate modern-day professional.
He has the captain’s armband in the absence of Vincent Kompany, wearing it with pride and accepting the role with great dignity.
His performance at Arsenal on January 13 was one of the most accomplished efforts in the Premier League this season.
Control: Zabaleta looks comfortable on the ball
Crucial intervention: Zabaleta scored the winning goal for City in their FA Cup tie at Stoke
The Argentinian was getting close to that level at Loftus Road last night, bombing down the right flank when City were in possession.
This is Zabaleta’s time after nearly five years at the Etihad. At times he has been restricted by the emergence of Micah Richards, but the England defender’s injury has opened the door for him.
The City right back is first choice for now, ahead of Maicon in the queue to play for one of the biggest spending clubs in the history of the game.
He is unquestionably one of the most respected players in the Premier League.
For that reason, he should be one of the first picks for the pros.
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