The striker is the elder of City’s Argentinean pair by just under a year, and is a good bet to feature in Diego Maradona’s thinking for South Africa. The younger of the two has not had the call for his country as often as he would have hoped since winning an Olympic gold medal just before he joined City, but he’s enjoying teaming up with Carlos on the domestic front.
“I’ve played with Carlos before in the international team,” says Pablo, “I’ve always enjoyed playing alongside him because he is such a good player and he does so much for any side he plays in. As well as being with him here now that he is with us at City, I want to get back in the national squad alongside him as well.”
Looking at the impact that Carlos made when coming on as a substitute against Liverpool last Saturday, Pablo added: “Carlos changed the game when he came on, he played well as soon as he was on and gave us more chances to score. I was happy for him because it’s not easy when a player wants to start and always be part of the first eleven. But all players are important in a squad now, and Carlos showed that on Saturday. He was great when he came on and I was pleased for him.”
I’ve always enjoyed playing alongside Carlos because he is such a good player and he does so much for any side he plays in. As well as being with him here now that he is with us at City, I want to get back in the national squad alongside him as well.
...Pablo on Carlos...
Pablo has commanded a regular starting berth of late, and he accepts that he, Carlos and the rest of the squad have to be at the top of their game knowing that manager Mark Hughes has good options in reserve.
“Everyone works hard here every day to get into the first eleven,” Pablo continues. “We all know it’s not easy because there are a lot of players with fantastic quality in this squad.
“You have to fight for your place because it seems that there’s two of everyone now! I think there’s a big difference with us this season, there have been a lot of changes over the year and we now have great players in every position.
“That’s what you need, because there are so many games in the Premier League of a high standard all through the season. We all have to work twice as hard now to get into the team, but that’s good for everyone and especially the team.”
