Source: Daily_Mail
Zabaleta hoping magic of Tevez can get him a World Cup ticket from Maradona
Pablo Zabaleta is backing Manchester City to guide Argentina to World Cup glory next year - at both ends of the pitch.[LNB]Training hard: But Manchester City duo Carlos Tevez (right) and Pablo Zabaleta find time to share a joke[LNB]The 24-year-old defender is hoping to impress Diego Maradona enough to get selected for the squad for South Africa and add to his seven caps - and partner City team-mate Carlos Tevez on the plane.[LNB]Zabaleta has become a regular at Eastlands while Tevez is still struggling to command a first-team place - but the former Roma insists Tevez remains an inspiration.[LNB]He said: 'I've played with Carlos before in the international team - 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. [LNB]'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.[LNB]Carlos changed the game when he came on against Liverpool at the weekend - he played well as soon as he was on and gave us more chances to score. [LNB]'I was happy for him because it's not easy when a player wants to start and always be part of the first eleven. [LNB]'But all players are important in a squad now, and Carlos showed that on Saturday. He was great when he came on.'[LNB]Although the World Cup is in his future plans, Zabaleta is concentrating hard on the present and making himself indispensible to City boss Mark Hughes.[LNB]'Everyone works hard here every day to get into the first team,' he added.[LNB] The man to impress: Argentina coach Diego Maradona[LNB]'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.[LNB]'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 but that's good for everyone and especially the team.'[LNB] Man City home in on winger Di Maria as Chelsea pull plug on deal for £36m aceManchester City boosted by return of Vincent Kompany, Michael Johnson and BenjaniTottenham strikers rule the Premier League roost with four hat-tricks and 27 goals - while Stoke's hit-men manage just one goal every nine games...MANCHESTER CITY FC
