Former Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has explained how he was always sure the 2013/14 Premier League title would end at the Etihad.

That famous run-in eight years ago saw Liverpool in pole position with three games to go, but defeat to Chelsea and a draw with Crystal Palace saw City capitalize and claim their second title of the era. of the Premier League. The Anfield club had been heavy favorites to win their first crown since 1990 just 20 days before, but Zabaleta said he always knew his club would be the winners.

“I think we always believed we were going to win the Premier League (in 2014),” he told the club website this week. “We played great football that season. Liverpool were in for a good time and were a team that was a big contender, but I feel like we always believed the Premier League was for us.

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“Even in 2012 with (Roberto) Mancini, we were the same but with Manchester United and we kept pushing and believing until the end. That’s one of the reasons we won the league. two seasons have been fantastic.

Zabaleta, who made 333 appearances in nine years at the Etihad, may have offered this current City side a glimpse of the type of mentality needed to see Liverpool this season. The club trailed Jurgen Klopp’s side to the 2018/19 title by a single point and it could again come down to a narrow margin, with City currently only a point ahead of their opponents.

A number of members of this season’s squad are still part of Pep Guardiola’s squad today, but for others – like Jack Grealish, Joao Cancelo and Rodri – this race is the closest they have come. have known during their time at the club. This never say die attitude has won City five titles in the last 10 years and they will need it again if they are to win a sixth.

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