EXCLUSIVE: Man City icon Zabaleta on 'obsessed' Guardiola, Kompany's Bayern success & more

You joined Manchester City amid major transformations. Did it strike you as a landmark moment immediately, or just another move?

"It felt far from ordinary. Upon signing, the club had a new Thai owner who seemed keen to offload it due to issues back home. Several groups were eyeing a purchase.

"My priority was landing in England to compete in the Premier League, so ownership details weren't central for me. Yet, just days later, Abu Dhabi interests completed the takeover, splashing £40 million on Robinho as their initial acquisition. In 2008 terms, that sum for a Real Madrid standout signalled huge intent.

"That's when it dawned on everyone that massive shifts were afoot. Reflecting now, my timing was spot on."

Thus, early links existed between Real Madrid and Manchester City?

"Indeed, and the takeover's boldness stood out. Clubs typically ease into strategies post acquisition, but these owners moved decisively, outlining ambitions to lure top talents globally. Snapping up a Madrid star so swiftly projected immense resolve."

Post those shifts, did you sense a duty to shape a fresh ethos at the club?

"The squad as a whole did. Mark Hughes led then, and in owner meetings, the message rang clear: 'Our goals and blueprint for this club are firm. Football demands patience for triumphs, so assembling the ideal lineup is key.'

"What stood out was their grasp that instant success wasn't feasible. It formed a decade long strategy. Beyond elite signings, you require dedicated arrivals eager to rewrite the club's narrative. That demands patience.

"Fresh faces arrived, many skilled, yet some lacked dedication and departed soon. Roughly three to four years passed before forging the mindset to rival Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool, establishing us as a true powerhouse."

Must inquire about Micah Richards. How did he respond to your arrival, his locker room vibe? Does his character match today's?

"Identical, ever humorous, cheerful, beaming widely. A fantastic individual and teammate.

"Back then, he featured more centrally with Richard Dunne over right back duties, which I handled. Next season, with Kolo Toure and Joleon Lescott joining, he shifted back, sparking our positional rivalry. Yet it stayed positive.

"Our bond was strong, mutual respect high, both driven to secure starting spots."

During that Queens Park Rangers strike, what raced through your thoughts? Did title hopes linger?

"That match marked a pivotal club milestone. The prior FA Cup victory thrilled, but clinching the initial Premier League crown elevated us. Suddenly, rivals and talents viewed us anew, pondering moves to City.

"Personally, it shone brightly, though my early goal fades beside Sergio Aguero's famed one.

"Pre match, securing our debut Premier League honour loomed rare. Despite QPR's survival scrap, ease wasn't assumed. The drama, with United also pursuing, climaxing in those closing moments, felt surreal. Such theatre proves scarce.

"United's long reign, Ferguson dubbing us noisy neighbours, made that victory style utterly dreamlike."

How vital was Roberto Mancini in instilling the proper mindset?

"Essential. His Inter stints with stars honed handling egos, where bench roles grate. That's an art.

"A born victor with a unique demeanour, we adapted over months. Post defeat, his dressing room rage hammered home that losses don't cut it at elite levels, demanding constant wins. That forged our core attitude.

"He proved pivotal in that era's growth."

You earned City's Player of the Year for 2012-13. Its significance?

"Immense. New owners signalled funds for positional elites, prompting my resolve to claim a spot amid best right backs.

"I joined expecting little silverware, yet soon marvelled at teammates, urging max effort to etch history. Thus, fan voted top player in such talent depths amazes me still. It underscores self belief and dedication yielding peaks.

"A career pinnacle."

Pep Guardiola's advent, what shifted?

"All aspects, positively. Mancini and Pellegrini delivered flair and silverware, but Pep's coming screamed total conquest aims, eyeing Champions League glory beyond domestic rule.

"His pedigree from Barcelona, Bayern drew global elites, importing winning ethos, philosophies, unyielding benchmarks.

"My lone season under him yielded no trophies, squad in flux, veterans like me ageing, needing youthful vigour. Results since validate it.

"Over a decade there outlasts prior stops, claiming all, shattering Premier League records, crafting sublime football. A joy for aficionados."

One outsider unknown about Pep Guardiola?

"His total immersion, admirably so. Known for tactical genius, positional mastery, yet up close, his player motivation captivates. Mornings find him office bound, dissecting improvements despite triumphs.

"Satisfaction eludes him, probing tweaks for midfielders, advancing full backs, repositioning assets. His foresight sets him apart."

With such passion, national team role feasible?

"Plausible. Post City, English clubs seem unlikely, Spanish ones post Barcelona too. Germany maybe, Italy viable given playing days, Serie A allure. Yet national duty feels probable eventual path.

"Altered pace, five yearly breaks, eight fixtures versus sixty club ones, eases physical toll, emphasising travel, observation, bonds, intensive preps. Two week intensives, dual games, then respite. He'll arrive, desired universally by federations."

Vincent Kompany led profoundly at City. His Bayern managerial triumphs, foreseen early?

"Instantly. We debuted together in 2008, bonding at hotels pre apartments. His charisma, command, multilingualism shone early.

"Pitch leadership natural, deepened via sessions, chats revealing football acumen screaming coaching future.

"Burnley's promotion, Premier drop surprised some, yet rushed verdicts felt unfair. Pairing talent with Bayern's stars unveils his prowess, aided by Hamburg play, German fluency, cultural fit. Thrilled for him."

Two more, Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli. Contrasting traits. Their variances, your Tevez link via roots?

"Tevez's arrival dazzled, ex United, that blue shirted Manchester welcome billboard iconic.

"Youth team ties acquainted me with his brilliance. Training saw him pace himself weekdays, self guided. Matchdays, he delivered victories. Pure talent.

"Balotelli evokes chuckles. Mancini knew him young at Inter, betting on striker stardom. Speed, power, skill, penalty perfection marked him special.

"Pity his pro discipline lagged, routine, recovery, diet, focus essential amid Aguero, Dzeko, Tevez rivalry demanding peaks.

"Off field theatrics constant, breakfast headlines inevitable. Fans adored him deservedly, QPR assist to Aguero, United's Why Always Me blast etched forever.

"Fond teammate memories persist. Charming, maturity delayed. Cherish his playing gifts, exceptional."

Post City, West Ham stint recollections?

"Warmly. Stark contrast, from trophy chasers to survival battles. At 33, novelty beckoned.

"Upton Park visits intimidated, vibe electric. London suited family life, career later stages balancing football, lifestyle.

"Three years under Bilic, Moyes, Pellegrini, known from City, mixed lows near drop, highs too.

"London Stadium packs 60000, East London bleeds claret blue, Canary Wharf immersed. Cherished chapter."

Tracking them via Flashscore this term?

"Yes, Flashscore's my constant app.

"Tough campaign, yet recent upticks. Nipping Nottingham Forest, Tottenham heels in woes. Rooting for safety, ties linger, affection endures.

"Conference League win historic, Premier League befits them."