Willy Caballero warns Joe Hart 'I want to be number one' after England goalkeeper left on bench for Community Shield defeat
Hart was left on the bench at Wembley and Caballero insists that he has not joined City to make up the numbers
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Goalkeeper Willy Caballero insists he did not join Manchester City to sit on the bench - and has warned Joe Hart he will fight for the number one spot at the Etihad Stadium this season.
Hart was dropped by Manuel Pellegrini last autumn following a string of high-profile errors, but later recalled, and was an unused substitute for the 3-0 Community Shield defeat to Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday.
Afterwards, the City boss refused to offer any guarantees over places, and Caballero, who was first-choice goalkeeper when working with Pellegrini at Malaga, maintains he has his sights set firmly on a regular starting place.
"My ambition is to fight for the position and to be there when the manager needs me," said the 32-year-old from Argentina.
"I want to be number one."
He added of the selection battle: "Both of us will train for that chance, but I came to fight for the number one spot."
Caballero was unable to prevent Arsenal recording a convincing victory, beaten by well-worked goals from Santi Cazorla and Aaron Ramsey before second-half substitute Olivier Giroud cracked in a third from 25 yards.
"It was an important match for me. I have a chance to play. I am happy for this, but not for the score," Caballero said.
"I have been training well, but there is no doubt that this was not one of my best games - they attacked three or four times and they scored three goals.
"However, the decision (about who plays) is for the manager."
City completed the £32million signing of defender Eliaquim Mangala from Porto on Monday. He joins fellow summer recruits Fernando and Bacary Sagna, signed on a free from Arsenal, as well as Chelsea's former England midfielder Frank Lampard, loaned from New York City FC.
Caballero is in no doubt the champions, without several regulars at Wembley, will be a force to be reckoned with again next season.
"We have a strong team, we are the Premier League champions, with very good players, but we have things we need to prove," he said.
"Manuel has told all of us that we need to learn game by game, that we have to start the league well, that we have to achieve the most important things in the short term.
"We have to do what we did last year, to win the league.
"We were the best team in the Premier League, (but) we have to improve in the Champions League and we have a good squad to do that."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments