24 Jun 2017 10:26:02
Hi Ed001,

I'm aware that we were not liked with Zabaleta, but do you think he would've been a worthy addition at Liverpool? Also would've you taken Bacary Sagna?

{Ed001's Note - no, his legs have gone, no, he has never been good enough, never understood why Citeh signed Sagna. So average on his good days.}

1.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 10:33:29
I would rather play Milner at RB.

2.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 10:48:00
I would disagree on Zabaleta ed01, I remember him from the first years when he came to England, and he was a surprisingly astute acquisition. Always thought him a top professional, he did not shine neither attacking nor defending, but he was stable. I very much liked City when they were owned by that Thailand guy, they looked new and refreshing.

On a side note, do you remember Martin Petrov who played for them back in the day? I would be curious to hear the thoughts of someone unbiased.

As a Bulgarian, I was naturally a huge fan, watching the two Petrovi and Berbatov was a regular bonding experience for me and my father, may he rest in peace. We were very sad that injuries took their toll from him, he had a killer cross and a very good footballing brain, one of the last good "traditional" wingers that I remember.

{Ed001's Note - what you don't think his legs have gone? The rest was meant to apply to Sagna. Zabaleta is finished.

I quite liked Petrov's workrate, but he lacked that real genuine quality that makes a difference. He could cross, get up and down the flank, but he didn't have real skill to get past a man.}

3.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 11:06:15
I was scratching at the "he has never been good enough" part ed, currently he is in his decline of course. He should move to a slower, less physical league to see off his retirement, but I will remember him as a top right back - to a degree this would be due to the fact that I cannot think of many good RBs in the past decade.

You are right about Petrov, he relied on his speed, but lost a crucial bit after the heavy injury at Athletico. We were hoping that there he would have his breakthrough to stardom, but it was not meant to be. I was still happy that he managed to recover and have a positive spell with City, but he had to change his style.

{Ed001's Note - Zabaleta was one of my favourite players a few years back, he was, imo, the best right back in the Prem in his prime, by some margin. He is nowhere near his prime now though.}

4.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 11:07:39
I thought for a second you was on about zab never being good enough an I was about to kick off 😂
He was absolutely fantastic in his prime that guy.

{Ed001's Note - god no, I loved Zabaleta.}

5.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 11:10:26
If only Zabaleta was a few years younger I'd have him for sure. Milner at RB wouldn't be bad. No more cutting in everytime and actually putting a good ball in the box.

6.) 24 Jun 2017
24 Jun 2017 12:43:47
Zabaleta was a great RB in a few years ago, most definitely and had we signed him then instead of the perenially crap Glen Johnson, we would have been a much better thing. Zab was quality both offensively and defensively and to me, is the last man in a crop of old school FB's who were required to both attack and defend with the same level of quality just like A. Cole, Finnan, etc.