Manchester City goalkeeper Claudio Bravo has struggled at the club since his move from La Liga giants Barcelona, but things hit a new low on Wednesday nightagainst Huddersfield Townas fans of the club started ironicallycheering Bravoeverytime he made a save.
Pablo Zabaleta, who has been a long servant to the club since his move from Spain in 2008, has now spoken in defence of his team-mate and has encouraged supporters to do the same for the out-of-form stopper.
Speaking to theDaily Mirrorhe said:
We all need to Âsupport Claudio “ the players and the fans. He is one of us and I just wish the Manchester City fans would give massive support to him.
We need to help the new players and we need to Âunderstand that, when players go to another league, it is hard. It can be very tough and you need time to adapt.
We also know that goalkeeper is not an easy position. You need confidence and Claudio is not a regular starter at the moment Âbecause Willy has been playing most of the games.
So it is not easy, but we need to support him.
We know he is a great Âgoalkeeper, and his Âdistribution with his feet has been fantastic.�
Pep Guardiola praisedBravo's performance on Wednesday as "amazing" even though the Chileangifted Huddersfield Town the opener in the FA Cup tie.
Despite thisManchester City will likely have to target a goalkeeper in the summer as current number one 'keeper Willy Caballero's contract is set to expire this summer, and Joe Hart will reportedly not be welcomed back into the squad after he returns from his spell with Torino.
Zabaleta continuedHe [Bravo]is one of the greatest Âgoalkeepers. He won things with Barcelona and he has won the Copa America with Chile.
"But moving from La Liga to here is sometimes not easy. We need patience. We need to give confidence to him.�