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Pablo Zabaleta says West Ham’s Joao Mario has outstanding quality and amazing technique

Pablo Zabaleta of West Ham United battles for possesion with Nathan Redmond of Southampton during the Premier League match between West Ham United ...
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The Portugal international is finally starting to show what he is capable of after joining West Ham United in January.

West Ham United's Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta (C) reacts as referee Lee Mason awards a final penalty to Southampton during the English Premier League football match between...

West Ham ace Pablo Zabaleta sat down for an exclusive interview with the club’s official website, and raved about the quality of Joao Mario, labelling his quality as outstanding.

The Portugal international joined the Hammers on loan from Inter Milan in the summer, and despite initially struggling to find his feet in east London, he is slowly starting to showcase his real talent.

Joao Mario of West Ham United celebrates after scoring his sides first goal during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Southampton at London Stadium on March 31, 2018 in...

West Ham have endured a difficult campaign this season, which obviously hasn’t helped Mario express himself of the pitch, but after Saturday’s win over Southampton, they now sit in 14th spot in the Premier League table, with a place inside the top 10 a genuine possibility.

Zabaleta sat down for an exclusive interview with the club’s official website, and highlighted just how important the Portuguese will be for his side during their Premier League run-in:

Huddersfield Town's Dutch midfielder Rajiv van La Parra (R) tackles West Ham United's Argentinian defender Pablo Zabaleta (L) during the English Premier League football match between...

“Joao Mario showed his outstanding quality for us on Saturday. He has great technique and works hard for the team. On Saturday he played his best game for us so far and we were all happy for him. He took his goal really well and this his cross for Arnie was also fantastic. These moments are the difference in matches and Joao has the qualities to help us win more games, for sure.”

The 25-year-old chalked up his first goal and his first assist for the Hammers at the weekend, and if he is to earn a permanent switch to the London Stadium, he will have to continue the kind of form that he showed against the Saints between now and the end of the season.