Zabaleta hoping to put a dent in Man City's title hopes | OneFootball

There’ll be no room for sentiment when Pablo Zabaleta returns to Manchester City for the first time as a West Ham player on Sunday.

Zabaleta established himself as a firm fans’ favourite and lifted five major trophies during the nine years he spent at the Etihad Stadium.

But while he says he hopes Pep Guardiola’s high-flying side will go on to win the Premier League this season, the Argentine will be trying everything he can to stop them in their tracks on his return to his old stomping ground this weekend.

“It’s going to be weird going back to play against them after being there so many years and having so many great memories,” he told Sport360.

“It is going to be a bit of a strange feeling, but good to be back in front of the City fans.

“This is part of football, it happens.

“Of course I wish City can win the Premier League too.

“But we need three points more than anyone else at the moment.

“Even if I know all of them and have big feeling for the club, for the players, for the fans, I am a West Ham player now.

“I want West Ham to perform well and get something from this game.”

City set a new Premier League record when they racked up their 12th successive league victory against Southampton in mid-week and Zabaleta says he still keeps track of his old team’s progress as much he can.

“When I get a chance, I watch them, like in the Champions League,” he said.

“At the moment they have been very good so far, individually and as a team, they have been great.

“In the Premier League we have not seen a team in the last few years playing football like Man City are doing now.

“Not only for the club’s supporters, but also for anyone who loves watching football, everyone is enjoying the way they are playing.”

The 32-year-old made 32 appearances under Guardiola last term and though City ended the Catalan coach’s first season in English football empty handed, Zabaleta knew it was the beginning of something special.

“This is what Pep wanted last season, but everything takes time. He had to adapt to the league, players had to adapt to a new style of play and now we can see it happening.

“I am sure Pep is pleased with what he is seeing and the team playing the way he wants.

“They are playing really well and you can see them enjoying themselves.

“They have won games late at the end recently and it shows they keep fighting and trying to score and to get the win. I am very pleased for all of them.”

The Hammers are yet to pick up their first win since David Moyes took over from Slaven Bilić at the London Stadium and currently find themselves languishing in the relegation zone.

However, Zabaleta is confident he, his team-mates and the manager have what it takes to turn the club’s fortunes around.

“Football is like this. It’s about good moments, bad moments, and of course you can’t expect to be like it was at City, it is more difficult,” he said.

“After 14 games we have not been good enough and we didn’t expect to be in this situation in December.

“On paper we have good players, but we have had players injured, not much consistency and not performed as we can.

“We have not always had a regular strong first XI, but had to change formation, tactics and of course we have had to change the manager.

“It is a shame, but there’s still a long way to go and we have to stay positive. We have to believe we can get out of trouble.”