Pablo Zabaleta's girlfriend Christel Castano hated Manchester at first
14 Mar 2011 00:00

THE girlfriend of Manchester City’s Pablo Zabaleta hated moving to England because of the weather and food.

Spanish Christel Castano, who moved with Pablo, 26, in 2008, said: “Of the 365 days a year, about 185 of them are raining, cold or dark. Or all three at the same time.”The WAG felt isolated as she did not know anyone who spoke her language and was baffled by fish and chips.

She said: “I come from a Mediterranean diet where fish and veg are a cornerstone of meals.

“When I found out about fish and chips, I thought it was a joke. Taking healthy fish then frying it in batter was a mystery to me.”

But the TV presenter said she has settled into life here after the couple moved into a £1million mansion in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.

She added: “Although the adjustment was hard at first, we have come to love Manchester and everything that makes it special.”

It's alright Barna, I've done it for you.



TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF HIM BITCH!!

She actually looks like quite a nice bird.

Who? I can only see Pablo.

Funny that.

I wonder if she gets much Spanish-language presenting work in Cheshire.

4.06pm BST
Here's an example of a very good signing: Pablo Zabaleta. He joined City in 2008 for 6.5m and has been outstanding. And he has just signed a new extension with City which will keep him at the club until 2017. Proof that not all good signings have to be a "big name"..

Pablo Zabaleta excited by Manuel Pellegrini's City blueprint• Manchester City adapt to new manager's aggressive style
• Pablo Zabaleta signs new four-year contract at Etihad
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theguardian.com, Tuesday 20 August 2013 22.30 BST
Pablo Zabaleta, left, shakes hands with his new manager following Monday night's victory over Newcastle. Photograph: Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Pablo Zabaleta has revealed that Manuel Pellegrini wants Manchester City to "kill the ball" and swamp the opposition. The emphatic 4-0 home win over Newcastle United was the first indication of how the new manager has coached City to play as his side moved possession quickly and pressed at high tempo to win back the ball.

Zabaleta said: "The performance was fantastic, the team spirit was great and this is the way we want to play. If you saw Pellegrini's teams before he came to City, they always played this way. They were very aggressive, always trying to kill the ball, get into spaces and, above all, playing to win. He produces aggressive, attacking teams who play with a good tempo and a high intensity. We did that.

"It was hard for Newcastle after the sending-off [of Steven Taylor before half-time]. They had a player less and had to cope with [Jesús] Navas playing wide with two strikers in front of him and [David] Silva coming from inside. It would have been hard for any team to have stopped them, let alone one with 10 men. [Sergio] Agüero and [Edin] Dzeko did well together and they will add a lot of goals.

"As for Navas, it is sometimes hard for new players, especially when they come from another league and you have to adapt to a new country, a new language and a new life. But this is a squad where plenty of Spanish is spoken and we will do our best to help him. It did not take me long but then everyone is different."

Goals from Silva, Agüero, Yaya Touré and Samir Nasri put City at the top of the table on Monday, and Zabaleta hailed Pellegrini's preparation for the season. "We have been working really well. His communication with the players has been good and he has made his ideas very clear. We know the way we want to play. It is obviously only the first game of the season but we scored goals, kept a clean sheet and now we move on to Cardiff."

Gaël Clichy also underlined how Pellegrini wants to approach games: "When you play for a team like City you always want the three points," the left-back said. "His idea is to play attractive football, to score goals and create chances. But the most important thing is three points."

The trip to Cardiff is on Sunday and Zabaleta, who signed a new four-year deal on Monday, is clear that a good start is required to give City the best chance of becoming champions again. "It is very important and before the international break we have to beat Cardiff and Hull City at home," said the Argentinian, also looking beyond Manchester United and Chelsea as potential rivals. "You mustn't forget Spurs and Liverpool have a good team, although we have to see what will happen with [Luis] Suárez. The battle for the title is going to be interesting. We want that title back and we will try to get it back with attractive football."

Of his new contract, Zabaleta said: "It feels like home here. I have been here for five years and am really enjoying it. I didn't think twice when the club came to me to discuss my contract. This is the place I want to be and I want more success here. The summer was a hard one.

"At Manchester City the expectation is that you will win trophies and last season was hard and disappointing for everyone but everybody is fresh now, we have had a break and everybody is very focused. We know our target for the season and we will try to fulfil it."

Argentina forward Ezequiel Lavezzi, 29, was forced to delete a picture from his Twitter page - after he accidentally captured team-mate and Manchester City defender Pablo Zabaleta naked in the shower in the background.

Does anybody have this?!

I seen it about 5 times yesterday and the day before.