Changing of the guard at City starting with Zabaleta

– Pablo Zabaleta’s farewell is likely to garner much of the attention as Manchester City host West Bromwich Albion tonight, but Pep Guardiola’s side still have work to do to secure a Champions League place.

Fullback Zabaleta (right) will leave City at the end of this season after nine years, with West Ham his likely destination.

The Premier League match against Albion will mark his final home appearance.

Guardiola believes City need more players with Zabaleta’s commitment.

“It’s important to have players like Pablo,” Guardiola said.

“Pablo is a real legend, he has helped with his team-mates at the club to make a step forward.”

Victory would just about ensure a top-four finish and may even make it mathematically certain if Arsenal fail to beat Sunderland tonight.

Guardiola is in the process of shaping his squad for next season, and those of City’s six other out-of-contract players remain in the balance.

The most high-profile of those is midfielder Yaya Toure, who looked certain to leave after being dropped from the squad earlier this season because of a fallout with the manager.

Since resolving the dispute and being recalled in December, Toure has proved himself.

City go into the match on the back of two successive wins, beating Crystal Palace 5-0 and following that up with a 2-1 victory over Leicester on Saturday.

Guardiola must decide whether to recall Sergio Aguero, having caused something of a surprise by naming him only as a substitute on Saturday.

Despite losing 1-0 to Chelsea on Friday in the game that saw the London club crowned champions, West Brom boss Tony Pulis believes optimism is high.

“It was a slow start to the season but we picked up and it’s been a fantastic journey and a fantastic ride,” said Pulis.

“What we’ve got to do now is try to get something from these two away games.” – AFP