Sane and Sterling form key to City’s success, says Zabaleta

Pablo Zabaleta has lavished praise on the recent form of Manchester City’s wing wizards Raheem Sterling and Leroy Sane.

Both impressed in Wednesday’s 5-1 victory over Championship side Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup fifth-round replay at the Etihad Stadium.

Sterling, 22, became the most expensive English player in history from Liverpool in a high-profile £49 million switch in 2015.

German international Sane, 21, sealed a £37 million move to Pep Guardiola’s side in the summer from Schalke, and both are terrorising defences on a more consistent basis with their pace and trickery.

Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images

Argentine Zabaleta believes the form of the young duo is key for the chances of Manchester City’s level of success between now and the end of the season.

“Raheem and Leroy have been playing so well recently,” said Zabaleta, who has clocked up 326 appearances in all competitions for City since joining from Espanyol in 2008.

“They provide width to the team and they’ve got pace. It’s incredible how one is crossing and the other one is arriving to the back post.

“They are really good players and they are so important for the team especially in the way we play, so I hope they can continue until the end of the season.”