Man City Transfers: 6 Players Guardiola Needs To Get Rid Of

Pablo Zabaleta is a Manchester City stalwart, having been at the club for over years. Along with Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany, he is the only member of the current squad to have been with the club before the takeover in August 2008 and the influx of wealth that came with it.

The Argentine right-back has been a devoted servant to the club and worn the badge with pride, establishing himself as not just a key figure but one of the best attacking full-backs in Europe. He has played over 300 games for the club, and his tenacious attacking style of play has seen him compared more to the modern day wing-back. However, Zabaleta turns 32 this season. He can’t keep going on forever. Injuries interrupted his season last year, and he was unable to force his way back into the side due to the good form of Bacary Sagna.

Sagna is no spring chicken himself, and will turn 34 this season. If Man City are to challenge on all fronts, they need their right-backs not to have a combined age of 64. Zabaleta is too old to usurp Sagna at this stage - Guardiola should be looking to implement a younger full-back into the squad to challenge the Frenchman for the spot.

Zabaleta has served his time well, but all good things must come to an end.