Stats: Who should start for Manchester City – Sagna or Zabaleta?

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With both full-backs at the top of their game, who should Manuel Pellegrini make his first choice?

Manchester City are spoilt for choice in a lot of areas – and their acquisition of Bacary Sagna on a free transfer this summer has added another position to the list.

Reported to have signed on for a hefty salary, the 31-year-old has joined the likes of Gael Clichy and Samir Nasri in swapping the Emirates for the Etihad Stadium.

But while the deal serves to further underline City’s status as a transfer-market powerhouse within the English game, it is likely to cause a selection headache for boss Pellegrini.

Granted, it’ll be a good headache for the Chilean – but a tough decision is needed nevertheless. With Sagna no doubt looking to establish himself within the Man City team, should the Frenchman become a starter at right-back or will Pablo Zabaleta keep his place in the side?

A look at the statistics demonstrates just what a complex task Pellegrini faces. Sure, the easy option would be to give both full-backs starts in the games that would tactically suit them. City once again face a challenge on four fronts next season and having both Sagna and Zabaleta should make it easier for them to cope in the Champions League.

One right-back, however, will inevitably play more games than the other – but which one?

Going forward, Argentine Zabaleta impresses most, though only just. With six assists, the 29-year-old was the most successful attacking full-back in the Premier League last season, with his entries into the final third far surpassing Sagna’s in number.

The Frenchman, though, made eight more accurate crosses and one more successful dribble, meaning he is no slouch going forward, either.

You would think that the defensive statistics would separate the two slightly more… But surprise, surprise, they do not.

Although Zabaleta won more than double the amount of tackles, as well as winning 19 more interceptions, the former Arsenal man made 90 more effective clearances and won almost three times as many aerial duels. Based on those figures, Sagna would certainly offer Manchester City something from set-pieces.

Should Pellegrini plump for a first-choice defender, however, Zabaleta may be the way to go.

The stats paint the picture of an even contest between the two full-backs – but Zabaleta’s attacking forays have counted more (six assists vs two) and his ability to tackle and intercept will be of more value out wide than aerial ability.

The fact that the 29-year-old is already a regular within the Man City team should also boost his chances due to the chemistry he has developed with his team-mates, while you would expect greater fitness levels from the Argentine, who is two years Sagna’s junior.

But any selection would be based on only the finest of margins, which should make City even stronger as a whole next season; a frightening prospect.