The Argentina international enjoyed a superb campaign with the Blues during 2012/13 and will no doubt play a major part in Manuel Pellegrini’s inaugural season in England.
Zabaleta has only worked with Pellegrini for a few days but he is already impressed by what he’s seen.
“Sergio and I had an extra week because we played with the national team, now we are catching up with some hard work,” said Pablo.
“I’ve enjoyed the training so far. The manager has made everything clear and explained the way he wants us to play. Of course, we’ll need time to adapt but everything is going well.
“Maybe this week we are working more on the physical side with triple sessions. But the games are important as well because that is the chance for us to implement his ideas.”
This is the second time Zabaleta has been part of a Pellegrini team with the pair together at San Lorenzo back in 2001/02, though the City defender admits he was only starting out at the time.
“I was in the second team so I didn’t work with him directly,” he said. “He did well there and won the Copa Mercosul also won the league in Argentina.
I remember everyone was talking about him. He also did really well with Villarreal, Malaga and I think he’s a great coach
...Zabaleta...
And with the Argentine trio now down to a duo, Pablo also wished his compatriot and former team-mate Carlos Tevez good luck with his new career in Italy.
He said: “We wish Carlos all the best for his future. He went to a great club in Juventus - one of the best in Europe. He’s been in England for seven years and he’s done well everywhere he’s been and he did really well for City.
“We’ll miss having him as a team-mate but it’s part of football that players move on. But Sergio is still here so we will be fine.”
