Pablo Zabaleta: 'Gareth Bale the best in the Premier League'

Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta has claimed that Tottenham Hotspur winger Gareth Bale is the best player in the Premier League.

The Welsh international has scored 21 goals in all competitions for fourth-placed Spurs this season as they look to qualify for the Champions League.

"The best Premier League player? Gareth Bale, a force of nature," Zabaleta is quoted as saying by La Gazzetta dello Sport.

Zabaleta and his City teammates return to league action on Saturday when they welcome Newcastle United to the Etihad Stadium.