The Premier League is becoming bigger and better than ever before. There used to be a time when South American and European players would come to England to finish off their careers, picking up a final pay cheque of an illustrious career. These days, footballers are arriving at their peak, or even in a bid to improve their game and showcase their talents to a global audience.
Once such player is Pablo Zabaleta, who has shunned one of the top Italian clubs to sign for Manchester City. While his wages are sure to be handsome at Eastlands, the Espanyol defender claims that it was all about the glitz and glamour of the Premier League that swayed it for him, with The Guardian reporting that the division is like ‘a paradise’. Steady on there old chap!
“The offer is impossible to reject and not just because of the money,” said the Argentina international, who is expected to sign from Espanyol today after City agreed to pay the €8m (£6.45m) buy-out clause in his contract. “I have known about the interest of Manchester City for some months but my club have not wanted to negotiate. Juventus also wanted me but I wanted to come to England, and to Manchester.”
Goodness, the right-sided defender is even looking forward to playing in the UEFA Cup, despite the opportunity to feature in the Champions League for the Old Lady of Turin! Just what is it about big-paying Manchester City that endeared Zabaleta to Eastlands?!