West Ham United manager Manuel Pellegrini has praised Pablo Zabaleta’s leadership, describing the defender as ‘one of the most intelligent players’ he has ever worked with.
The 33-year-old has played the full 90 minutes in West Ham’s last four Premier League matches, helping the Irons to collect seven points against Everton, Chelsea and Manchester United.
Pellegrini previously worked with the Argentinian during their time together at Manchester City and, ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur, the Chilean spoke highly about the right-back.
The Hammers boss noted Zabaleta’s ability to lead and communicate, highlighting the No5’s value to the team.
“Pablo, for me, is one of the most intelligent players that I have managed in my career,” Pellegrini said. “He’s a player that always knows how to attack.
Pablo, for me, is one of the most intelligent players that I have managed in my career. He is a real leader for this team.
Manuel Pellegrini
“Maybe he’s not a young player, and cannot play all the games, and maybe he’s not as fast as he was some years ago, but he’s a player that always knows how to make a solution from a problem.
“He’s always talking with the whole squad, so he’s a real leader for this team.”
The Hammers have kept clean sheets in two of their last three home games, with the back four consisting of Zabaleta, Issa Diop, Fabian Balbuena and Arthur Masuaku in the last four Premier League matches.
Pellegrini also mentioned his two centre-backs, who both signed for West Ham in the summer from Toulouse and Corinthians respectively, praising how the duo have adapted to the Premier League.
He continued: “I think that both of them are improving. Maybe Fabian has more experience, but he’s come from a very big team in Brazil, so it’s normal that he needs a couple of games in the Premier League to start performing the way we know he can. I think that professional players like Fabian, they don’t need too many games to be regulars when they are good players.
“Issa Diop is a very young player and he must continue improving in every game that he plays, but he’s a player that is always asking and learning and he has a lot of desire to be a good centre back.
“We also have Angelo Ogbonna who is working very hard and is doing very well. We also have Declan Rice who can play there. Centre-back is currently .a position that we have covered very well. I’m very happy with the two that ae playing.”
An incredible atmosphere from the West Ham United supporters has engulfed London Stadium in recent games, with the Hammers claiming a draw with Chelsea, an 8-0 win over Macclesfield Town, and a 3-1 victory against Manchester United in the last three home matches.
Pellegrini is confident his side will give fans cause to be celebrating once again on Saturday against Spurs.
“When the team plays well then more often the stadium is unbelievable,” Pellegrini added. “I hope that, with this being a derby and the way we are playing, I am sure that we are going to have a great atmosphere.”