The veteran Pablo Zabaleta still leads West Ham from the bench
The first half of the season is in the books for West Ham but Pablo Zabaleta still has a job to do. It might not be on the pitch but it still affects what happens on it all the same.
In all honesty, the biggest story surrounding Pablo Zabaleta in the first half of the season was that this would be his last season not only at West Ham but in the English Premier League. After what will be 12 years in the EPL he will be “not retiring” but moving on.
In just 5 EPL matches this season the aging veteran has averaged less than one tackle and less than one interception per match. Not great numbers folks! However, there is a silver lining to this Hammers story, just not on the pitch.
Quietly and somewhat under the radar what he has done is help lead the team behind the scenes. Case in point, look at Ryan Fredericks. Fredericks has completely upped his game from last season and not only has he been solid on the attack he has now started to perfect his defense.
The kind of change has in some way come from the tutelage of one Pablo Zabaleta. Although his pace is gone and his skills are dwindling, his heart and passion for the club remain. In just a few short years at West Ham, the fans have won him over and made him proud to be a Hammer.
To believe that, you don’t have to look any further than the after the Hammers last time out in a 1-0 win at Southampton. After the match, he was seen coming onto the pitch not only cheering on the team but going to each player and giving them props and pointers.
It is hard to put a certain grade on how his time has gone so far this season but if you had to, you would have to look at the full picture and not just the stats on the pitch. As the second half of the season starts in 2 days’ time, there is potential to once again see him play.
Next. West Ham v Crystal Palace has some keeper questions. dark
Not only in just another EPL match but one against the pacey Wilfried Zaha. Many have questioned the Argentinians pace but he might just have a little left in the tank for this one with the help of some of his 10 closest friends.