Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has warned Joe Hart he has no room for error if he wants to remain the team’s first-choice goalkeeper.
Hart suffered a dip in form last season which saw him replaced in goal for a month by Costel Pantilimon before the England international re-established himself as Pellegrini’s regular number one.
City allowed Pantilimon to depart the club in June when his contract expired and the Romanian subsequently joined Sunderland on a free transfer.
But Pellegrini replaced him in the City squad with Argentine Willy Caballero, who he signed from former club Malaga during the close season.
The Chilean indicated Caballero, 32, will be better placed to challenge Hart for a starting position in the forthcoming campaign.
And Pellegrini may elect to give Caballero an early chance to impress when the Premier League champions face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday.
“I have two No. 1 goalkeepers,” Pellegrini said. “Willy is a very good goalkeeper, I know him from Malaga. I think he is very happy here. That is why I say we have a stronger squad than last year.
“I will make the decision who will start against Arsenal, not only the goalkeeper, the whole team. I am sure Willy will be very important for us but I also continue thinking we have the best goalkeeper in England in Joe Hart.
“Top teams need two players for each position because we have to play so many games during the year.”
