West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta has spoken to The London Evening Standard about his future at the club. With his contract expiring in the summer, Zabaleta is weighing up his future options.
After two years with West Ham, the former Manchester City defender is out of contract at the end of this season. There are now several options on the table for the veteran.
He can either continue playing for West Ham, look for a playing role elsewhere or take up a coaching job somewhere. He has reportedly been offered the chance to rejoin Man City as a member of the backroom staff (The London Evening Standard).
But he has hinted that he could stay at West Ham and play a bit-part role at the club next season.
Pablo Zabaleta on his future
Zabaleta has told The London Evening Standard that there is a clause in his contract which will automatically extend his current deal after meeting certain criteria.
The 34-year-old gets a one-year extension if he starts 23 games and with six matches remaining, he has 21 starts under his belt.
Zabaleta said: “There is a clause in the contract. If I do stay then I would have a different role in the team, not to play as much. I know in myself that I cannot play the same amount of games that I have over the past two seasons.”
The former Argentina international is currently the second-choice right-back at West Ham after Ryan Fredericks leapfrogged him in the pecking order.
But he has been recalled due to a Fredericks injury. Next season, he could continue to provide back-up for Fredericks with youngster Ben Johnson also in the first-team frame.
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