Searching For A Hero?

David Clayton isn't just one of the big cheeses on the clubs website, (if you happen to be reading this, any chance of a job?!?) as well as the sterling work he does there, he has written a few books about football and some more specifically about City.  One of these, which I can't recommend highly enough, is called "Manchester City's Cult Heroes".  The players selected are not always the most skilful or talented, but the players that have been taken to heart by the supporters, for every Mike Summerbee there is an Andy Morrison and for every Dennis Tueart there is a Paul Dickov; as fans we have always appreciated effort when perhaps technical ability may be lacking.


I read this book last year and it made me think about the current squad, in the present day we have a team crammed with superstars, we have a wealth of talent that we haven't had for a long time or arguably ever had, therefore picking a cult hero should be easy...but in some ways it isn't.  If I was to add a name to the list from the current squad it wouldn't be Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany, David Silva or even Mario (OK, so I probably would pick him as well) but first and foremost it would be our biggest warrior Pablo Zabaleta.

Anyone who have I have ever talked football with is aware of how much I rate Zabs, he is, in every way, a cult hero.  I was never sure if it was just me that felt this, but after the superb victory against Chelsea on Wednesday, message boards, Twitter and Facebook were abuzz with talk of Nasri, Yaya and how immense Zabaleta was once again.  There are some players at City that clearly 'understand' what the club is all about, and they know what it means to pull on that shirt, the Argentine defender is one of those people.


The fullback was signed by Mark Hughes, (who should be praised for also bringing Kompany and De Jong to the club) and is now into his 4th season.  In that time he has filled in at a multitude of positions, his versatility has been admirable, right back, left back, right wing, central midfield, I genuinely believe that wherever he is asked to play he would show the same amount of commitment and determination.  This season appearances have been a bit more limited, only starting 18 games so far in all competitions, but refreshingly he has never once moaned about being left out of the team.

I don't think anyone would debate who our first choice right back is, we all know that Micah Richards is a better footballer and probably another cult hero in his own right, but Zabaleta has proven time and time again that he can be relied upon when needed.  His never say die attitude can not be underestimated either, the number of times he has put his body on the line and taken a knock for the cause are innumerable.


I suppose I should actually make a point in this piece as opposed to just droning on about Zaba, my point is that as we move forward and challenge for endless trophies, these are the sorts of players that we need.  People that understand what is required and expected of them, there is always the attraction of the glitz and the glamour and the Robinho's of this world, but I think we are better learning a few lessons from our neighbours and look at players with drive, determination and passion.  


His contract extension recently was fantastic news, he will be around for a few more years and that can only be a good thing.  The guy is a model professional and that is something that can't be underestimated, and if you still aren't totally sold his reaction to winning the FA Cup was fantastic.  The guy for me is a legend and if I was to ever get a name on the back of my shirt, that name would be Zabaleta, so should another edition of 'Cult Heroes' be written, he surely would be one of the new entries! 

Zabs and AJ Sign on For A Few More Years

In recent weeks the press machine has been in over drive linking Adam Johnson with more clubs than ever, quite what these rumours were based on remains somewhat of a mystery, especially when you consider that it now appears that during that period negotiations were well under way over a new contract.


When Johnson got the hook 25mins into the Champions League game with Villareal pundits all over the country attempted to conjure a crisis, the insubordination of Carlos Tevez had lit the touch paper and according to the papers the end was nigh at City, Johnson being removed was supposed to be the next stage of a spiral into turmoil.  Team spirit was questioned and once again as supporters we had to read the same old rubbish about being a collection of talented individuals as opposed to a team.  I think the celebrations that ensued after the 93rd minute winner against Villareal coupled with the scenes of delight and team celebration in the derby put those rumours to bed.

Johnson we were told though still remained an outcast, he was left out of the squad for the derby, and he supposedly refused to board the bus after the Wolves league cup game (a ridiculous claim that literally seemed to be based on nothing), one day he was going to Liverpool, then Chelsea, he was unhappy and on the way out despite Roberto Mancini stating on numerous occasions he was going nowhere, the end for Johnson at City was coming....except it wasn't, it was just another example of the media picking up on nothing, or dare I say, trying to destabilise the ship?

Confirmation has come today that the England wideman has signed a new 4 year deal that will see him remain at the club until 2016.  I am particularly pleased with this news, I sort of fall in the middle ground with Johnson, there seem to be some supporters who think he is brilliant and some that think he will amount to nothing.  I personally think he has all the potential to be one of the best wingers in Europe, if not the world, but he has to apply himself more.  Mancini knows all about that particular position and if Johnson is prepared to listen to his manager and learn from him I think he can make the most of his ability. If however he is not prepared to take on board that advice and work on the defensive side of his game I can see him wasting the talent that he has.

It may not be as high profile, but the news that Pablo Zabaleta has extended his contract is something that I am just as pleased about.  It is strange that a player who only appears in every third game could be so loved by the City faithful, but Zabs is just one of those players.  As supporters we love someone that always gives everything they have to the cause, and the sentiment is encapsulated by the Argentine, he isn't the most technically gifted player but he never stops fighting.  His versatility is also a massive asset and to have him tied down until 2015 is fantastic.  It may seem strange but he is now one of our longest serving players, and I genuinely believe he could become a legend if he continues as he currently is.

It is good to see that contracts are now being sorted out, I still fear for the future of Nigel De Jong, if nothing is tied up by the end of the season I suspect he will be shown the door.  The suggestion is that he rejected our last offer and there has been no movement since, he is hardly looking content with life, and you do wonder if he may have shot himself in the foot by choosing Kia Joorabchian to represent him.