Caballero finally feels loved at Manchester City

Willy Caballero claims everything changed for him at Manchester City after his penalty shoot-out heroics in their Capital One Cup final triumph over Liverpool last season.

The Argentine goalkeeper was the hero that day but hasn’t always been a first-team regular at City – having to act as an understudy to first Joe Hart and then Claudio Bravo.

He had come under fire for some erratic performances during his first two seasons under then-boss Manuel Pellegrini and City fans were rarely filled with confidence when they his name on the teamsheet.

But he has started the last three games – keeping heavily-criticised Bravo out of the side with a string of solid performances.

Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

And the Argentine feels the turning point came when he gained the fans’ respect and adulation after his cup final brilliance.

“I tried to focus on the games but I listened and was aware of the criticism in my first year at City,” Caballero said. “But I learned and worked hard to improve throughout my second year.

“After the Capital One Cup final, everything changed and I felt a lot of affection from the City fans and I’ve really enjoyed it since.”