West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta has claimed that manager Manuel Pellegrini has given the Hammers mentality to challenge for silverware.
The Argentine right-back, who won all of England’s major trophies with Manchester City, is delighted to be playing under his former manager and feels positive for the season ahead.
The two-time Premier League winner has been pleased with many parts of the Chilean’s preparations to the upcoming season during the early stages of the manager’s move to London and Zabaleta is highly optimistic for future success.
Zabaleta said, as quoted by the Evening Standard: “I think all the lads are enjoying it, his training sessions are really good while, as a person, he’s calm, a true gentleman.
“At the same time, he is so demanding and that is what you need to succeed — a winning mentality.
“He puts a strong emphasis on discipline. If training sessions start at 10.30am, then you have to be there, on the pitch. You have to do your weights every day.
“They may be small details but they make a difference. That’s all you need sometimes, discipline as a team on and off the pitch. We will try to build something and to challenge for something important in the next few seasons.”
OPINION
There is no reason why West Ham cannot challenge for trophies next season after spending a considerable amount of money on quality signings. Pellegrini already has nine players added to his squad and the number could increase before the end of the transfer window this afternoon. It will be a difficulty to learn which members of his squad are the most appropriate for a starting place at first but time will tell and he should end up overall with a solid squad that can defeat most teams on the day. Unlike previous managers, West Ham have brought in a respected boss with an impressive profile of working with world class players at Manchester City that delivered the club a Premier League title and two League Cups during his appointment in Manchester. This will excite the current crop of footballers at the club and they will want to prove to their manager they are worthy of selection for the Hammers.
