Zabaleta reassures City fans

Manchester City full-back Pablo Zabaleta says he and Argentine team-mates Sergio Aguero and Carlos Tevez are happy at the club.

The defender, who joined City from Espanyol in 2008, has reportedly attracted the interest of Barcelona after cementing his place in Roberto Mancini’s plans at right-back.

Compatriots Aguero and Tevez have been linked with moves to Real Madrid and AC Milan respectively, with the latter previously coming close to leaving the club in January.

However, the 27-year-old Zabaleta has revealed that the trio are not looking to move on after settling into life in Manchester.

Zabaleta told The Sun: “The three of us spend a lot of time together, Sergio lives five minutes away.

“It’s great for Carlos, for Sergio, for me. We play together for the national team and I played with them in the youth teams.

“For us it’s a new experience here. Whenever you leave your country you learn a lot of things.

“The opportunity we have in England is making a big impact in our lives. The culture is different, the football is different, we are really enjoying it here. Manchester is one of the best places in the UK.”

Aguero rounded off a remarkable debut year by securing the Premier League title for Manchester City in the dying seconds of the season, and his success has not surprised Zabaleta.

“I know him as a player and a person. I knew before he came he would do very well,” Zabaleta said.

“He’s been one of our most important players.”