Sport

All hail ‘Mr Reliable’: Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta ‘humbled’ by Team of the Year gong as teammates pile on praise

By Colin Henrys

Tireless Argentinian full-back Pablo Zabaleta admitted he was delighted after being named in the PFA Awards Premier League Team of the Year last night.

The popular 28-year-old has been one of City’s most consistent performers this season and has already scooped two Fans’ Player of the Month awards.

And after his latest accolade, the rampaging right-back affectionately nicknamed ‘Zabman’ also paid tribute to his Blues team mates.

“Truly humbled to be included within the PFA Team Of The Year,” he wrote on Twitter.

“It’s an honour to play and be named alongside such great players. Thanks.”

Zabaleta was the only City player to be selected this season after the Blues lost their Premier League crown to Manchester United.

And his team mates also took to Twitter to congratulate their ‘Mr Reliable’.

Spanish star David Silva, @21LVA, wrote: “Congrat to my very good friend @pablo_zabaleta for the nomination, well deserved, top player. Grande Zabaaa.”

Fellow defender Joleon Lescott, @JoleonLescott, meanwhile said: “Congrats to my friend and teammate @pablo_zabaleta on being selected in the PFA Team of the Year #MrReliable.”

International team mate Sergio Aguero also Tweeted his congratulations while City legend Francis Lee called it ‘fully deserved’.

Tottenham Hotspur’s Gareth Bale was the big winner at the awards night, scooping both the Player and Young Player of the Year accolades.

Champions elect United had four players – David de Gea, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Robin van Persie – in the Premier League Team of the Year.

Out-of-favour City left-back Wayne Bridge, currently on loan at Brighton, was named in the Championship XI, as were academy graduates Kieran Trippier, now of Burnley, and Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel.

Image courtesy of Manchester City, via CityTV, with thanks.

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