Pablo Zabaleta as one of the most important
players in Manchester City history.
City announced late on Saturday that Zabaleta had
informed the club he will leave when his contract
expires next month, bringing down the curtain on a
celebrated nine-year spell in Manchester.
An unheralded signing from Espanyol in August
2008, shortly before Sheikh Mansour's takeover
drastically altered City's fortunes, Zabaleta made
his Premier League debut alongside showpiece
signing Robinho in a 3-1 defeat to Chelsea the
following month.
But it was the tough-tackling Argentinian who
would go on to firmly establish himself as a fans'
favourite thanks to numerous all-action displays.
A pivotal member of the title-winning sides of
2011-12 and 2013-14, Zabaleta also collected an
FA Cup winners' medal and two EFL Cups during
the club's resurgence as a trophy-winning force
this decade.
Despite being reduced to a more marginal role
under the current manager, the 32-year-old's
significance is not lost on Guardiola ahead of what
is likely to be an emotional farewell to the Etihad
Stadium against West Brom on Tuesday.
"Hopefully all the fans can come to support us –
we play for a lot of important things – and to
express gratitude for one of the most important
players in the history of Manchester City," said the
former Barcelona boss, before acknowledging
Zabaleta will be tough to replace over the course of
what promises to be a busy close season.
"I have a lot of respect for people players and
managers who do what they do for a lot of time.
Nine years here is incredible and to replace that
you need someone to stay here nine years.
"His impact here was amazing. He was one of the
first players [of the current squad] to come here
and he has helped the club to where it is right
now."
That transformation, to which Zabaleta has been
integral, means a trophy-less season and a battle
to secure Champions League qualification running
into the final week of the campaign must be
considered a disappointment at City.
Victory will all but assure they retain their spot in
Europe's elite competition for a seventh
consecutive season, but Guardiola expects no
favours from a Baggies side who made Chelsea
work hard for a title-clinching 1-0 win at The
Hawthorns last Friday.
"They are professionals, they will play to win," he
added.
"Tony Pulis' teams don't play thinking it doesn't
matter. It's a real final for us, and we are going to
be ready."
John Stones is poised to return from an adductor
problem that has sidelined him for the past five
weeks, although Guardiola does not expect
midfielder Fabian Delph to feature again this
season due to a leg injury.
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