[ad_pod ]
West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta has confirmed that he may stay at the club beyond the end of the season, per El Intransigente, via Sport Witness.
The Argentine turned 34 in January but has remained a key part of Manuel Pellegrini’s squad this season, making a total of 23 appearances in all competitions.
What’s the word?
Zabaleta’s age led many to believe that he would depart the Hammers in the summer, with many even speculating that he may retire.
The former Manchester City star denied those rumours in December and he has now suggested that he may even extend his stay at the London Stadium.
Quoted by El Intransigente, via Sport Witness, he said: “My contract in England ends in June, and I have the possibility of renewing. In any case, things change in football and we’ll wait for the right time.
“I’m happy here. I’ve done all my career in England, 11 years.
“My family is happy living in London. I came to West Ham to continue to play and get minutes.
“That’s what I was looking for and I’ve been a starter in 80% of the games.”
Put him out to pasture
There is no room for misty-eyed sentiment in football.
Zabaleta is ageing and is reaching a point in his career where the Hammers simply have to replace him.
Ryan Fredericks, at the age of 26, is poised to take his place while Ben Johnson, the 19-year-old, signed a new contract earlier this week.
It would be wise, then, for West Ham to take this decision out of Zabaleta’s hands.
He has been a loyal servant since his move to east London in 2017 but now is the time to say goodbye and start looking to the future.
