What Pablo Zabaleta’s extension reveals about West Ham
By Adam Smith
West Ham have triggered their defensive leader, Pablo Zabaleta’s 2020 contract extension. While the move is an obvious no brainer for the Irons it also reveals their summer transfer plans have begun.
The announcement was made today that Zabaleta will be staying with West Ham through the 2019/2020 season. Both the player and club took to Twitter to inform the fan base of the easy decision for both sides.
The Club are delighted to announce that @pablo_zabaleta will be staying at West Ham until summer 2020.
— West Ham United (@WestHam) May 1, 2019
Great to have you here for another year, Zaba! #ZABA2020 pic.twitter.com/XGpoKnN9L4
It’s clear that as the season has progressed Ryan Fredericks, the heir apparent to Zabaleta’s right-back throne has risen in manager Manuel Pellegrini’s rankings. The desire to use a speedy, attacking minded fullback fits the Pellegrini MO perfectly, pushing Zabaleta to the bench in recent weeks.
Never being predictable, Pellegrini has deployed Zabaleta as he sees fit throughout the second half of the season. When he’s in the team there is a certain level of grit that is added, not to mention defensive prowess and reliability.
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In a very telling video post, Zabaleta opens up about having a mentorship role with the young developing players on the team. He talks about needing a senior voice who can guide players to make the right decisions and to prioritize listening and learning over anything else.
The summer transfer plans are clearly underway with this extension being activated on Zabaleta’s contract. Without Zabaleta, West Ham would need to invest in a right back who would act in a timeshare with Fredericks, the clear next-up player in that position. Instead, the club saves the transfer fees and keep a solid, reliable, mentoring player on the team and save the money for more direly needed positions.
With Dave Walker and ExWHUemployee divulging further transfer information on their infamous West Ham Way Podcast, it appears that Jack Wilshere and Carlos Sanchez will be given another season to show what they can bring. Both players missed massive time this season due to injury, but the commitment to these players again allows the Irons to save some cash.
Do the Zabaleta extension and Sanchez/Wilshere commitment suggest the Irons will look to spend big on a few players rather than share the cash around? It very well could! Regardless, the Hammers’ summer spending is clearly well underway with fullbacks and central midfielders getting nailed down early.