West Ham United defender Pablo Zabaleta is now 34, and showing signs of age.
The right-back has made 23 Premier League appearances for West Ham this term, and has been Manuel Pellegrini’s side’s first choice in defence this term.
Zabaleta has played more regularly than Ryan Fredericks, but he has still shown signs of age.
The Argentine struggled badly in West Ham’s most recent match against Everton, which they lost 2-0.
Zabaleta’s future is currently up in the air, after some suggestions that he could retire at the end of the season.
However, the experienced defender is now thinking about staying on at West Ham, even though his role would change if he pens a new deal.
“There is a clause in the contract,” Zabaleta said. “If I do stay then I would have a different role in the team, not to play as much. I know in myself that I cannot play the same amount of games that I have over the past two seasons.”
If Zabaleta is to perform a back-up role next season then a new right-back could be on West Ham’s shopping list.
Although Fredericks has shown signs of encouragement in recent weeks, he hasn’t been fully convincing over the whole season.
West Ham are currently in 11th place in the Premier League table, with their next match coming against Chelsea.
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