Scary and exciting – Manchester City´s Caballero on being a Guardiola goalkeeper

Building attacks from the back at Manchester City makes goalkeeper Willy Caballero feel alive.

Former Malaga keeper Caballero has predominantly served as back-up during his two-and-a-half seasons at the Etihad Stadium, but won the nod over Claudio Bravo for the 4-0 win at West Ham at the start of the month and retained the number one spot for last weekend’s last-gasp 2-1 victory over Swansea City.

Pep Guardiola told a pre-match news conference he is yet to decide which goalkeeper will start at Bournemouth on Monday, but, with Caballero seemingly a reassuring presence for the City defence following Bravo’s arduous introduction to English football, the 35-year-old is favourite to remain.

Guardiola brought in Bravo from Barcelona last August, jettisoning England international Joe Hart in the process, due to the Chilean’s prowess in terms of building the play with the help of his defenders.

Caballero has proved himself adept in this area when given the opportunity this season, but concedes it is not necessarily a style that comes naturally to him.

“When I started playing as a kid, the centre-back would pass to me and I couldn’t catch it,” he told Sky Sports.

“Now we are in a constant state of evolution; we have to catch crosses, play well with feet and try to build our situation. That is fantastic.

“It’s both exciting and scary, I feel my heart and skin when I receive a ball. Of course I’m excited and scared but those emotions make me feel alive.”

City are third in the Premier League heading into the weekend action, a point behind second-place Tottenham.