The Spanish boss has praised the Argentine shot-stopper as part of a group of senior players who have stepped in to help lead the team through a tumultuous season. Caballero, James Ward-Prowse, Theo Walcott and Kyle Walker-Peters are among those stepping into the breach as Selles calls on academy staff to help coach the senior side.
Willy Caballero said: “My job is to help all the players because they have a different view from being on the pitch. That’s why they ask me what I see during the first half. I always reach out to one or two guys, but there are some that come to me and ask me questions. It’s beautiful because that role has helped me to grow. Ruben, as a Spaniard, asks me what I see. We sometimes get into debates about what we can do to help the team improve because the second half is often when the game changes.”
Caballero is the third-choice goalkeeper at Saints with Gavin Bazunu retaining the number one shirt following a summer move from Manchester City, and with Alex McCarthy given a new contract last summer too. The Argentine initially joined as short-term injury cover for McCarthy and Fraser Forster in December 2021 but has gone on to make five appearances for the club.
Willy Caballero said: “It’s been clear since I signed my contract what my position would be. But I’ve always said to the club that I will be here every day, training as I am the No 1 — because I want to be. It’s the only thing that makes me wake up in the morning at 7 AM to drive an hour and a half to come here. But the reality is I’m the third choice; I have to fight really hard to get another opportunity. I am enjoying it but I’m going day by day. I was crazy when I left Chelsea in 2021 and tried to find another club. But I’m not another crazy guy right now.”
