Player Preview #5 - Pablo Zabaleta

A FAN favourite if ever we have seen one. The gritty utility man certainly put himself about last season and, for his troubles, ended up coming off the pitch for treatment in the majority of his outings.

The versatile Argentina international even has his own comic book sketch on the Manchester City website called 'Zabman'.

Last campaign was marked by a stunning Zabaleta goal at Craven Cottage as City romped to a 4-1 win over former boss Mark Hughes' Fulham, and add to that an FA Cup Winners medal, it was a very successful season for the former Espanyol man.

Ironically, he is another one of Hughes' signings - like Vincent Kompany and Nigel de Jong. All three are the spine of the team, willing to throw themselves at a brick wall in order to defend the goal at all costs.

|Image courtesy of mcfc.co.uk|

At just £6.5m, Zabaleta was an absolute steal by Hughes in August 2008. His importance to the team was emphasised when he made his 100th appearance for the club on New Year's Day in the 1-0 win over relegated Blackpool.

His commitment and work rate is what sets him aside from most players, as the 26-year-old runs himself into the ground on a regular basis for City. Above everything else, the fans love a player who shows that sort of determination - which is why they have adopted want-away striker Carlos Tevez as one of their own.

But what does this season hold in store for the man capped nine times by his country?

With his ability to play at either right or left-back and in the middle of the pitch, there will always be a position available for him. The arrival of Gaël Clichy from Arsenal this summer has added another player to the left side of defence, which means Zabaleta will be giving stern competition to fellow right-back Micah Richards.

With the Champions League games set to have a huge effect on player fatigue, Roberto Mancini will no doubt continue his rotation policy, meaning the 2008 Olympic Gold medalist with Argentina will be used to great effect both in the league and domestic competitions in order to keep the squad fit to fight on all fronts.

Hoping to add to his FA Cup triumph, Zabaleta will be even more hungry for success (if it is even possible).

Player Preview #2 - Micah Richards

NO doubt one of Manchester City's finest academy graduates, Micah Richards will be sampling Champions League football for the first time this season. It will be interesting to see how he adapts to Europe's elite competition.

Last term, we saw his surging runs down the flanks in the UEFA Europa League campaign, and continental defenders seemed unable to cope with his raw pace and determination.

The 2010-11 season was one of Richards best, a close contender to the 2007-08 season under the charge of Sven-Gӧran Eriksson when the powerful defender was the Blues' stand out performer.

|Image courtesy of mcfc.co.uk|

Since that campaign, Richards has had a tough couple of seasons, finding it hard to cement a regular starting berth. Too many hours in the gym meant that he had bulked up and he lost his pace, and the form of Pablo Zabaleta was inspiring.

But soon the Birmingham-born full-back would regain his form and he became a integral cog in Roberto Mancini's plans last season. Since bursting onto the scene in as a 17-year-old in 2005 against Arsenal, Richards has gone on to make just shy of 200 appearances for City.

Now, at the age of 23, the defender is coming into the peak of his career and is still improving as a professional. The first taste of silverware with last season's FA Cup triumph is just what Richards needed to kick-start a successful career.

The first trophy is always the hardest to secure, but now Richards has sampled glory, he will be hungry for more. Hopefully the hunger will not turn into starvation as the years roll on, but one thing is for certain - he is at the club during an exciting time where trophies are going to be round every corner.