Stefan Ortega Ilkay Gundogan Germany Football blues shock isolate on Stefan Ortega Ilkay Gundogan Germany

'I want to be the number one' - Stefan Ortega opens up on Man City ambition after initial shock

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Stefan Ortega rang up his agent after his first session at Manchester City last season. "I think I'm in the wrong place, I didn't hold a single ball today," he told him.

The German was bewildered not just that prolific goalscorers such as Erling Haaland had been firing shots past him but even defenders and youth team players involved in the training.

That was a lesson for Ortega on the standards expected at the City Football Academy, having arrived on a free transfer after relegation from the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld.

It was also one quickly taken on board; barring a shocker in the League Cup at Southampton, the goalkeeper impressed with every opportunity and has started Premier League and Champions League matches ahead of Ederson. ALSO READ: Ballon d'Or fulfils Man City wish for Guardiola despite Haaland snub ALSO READ: Guardiola finally finds first-choice Man City XI without De Bruyne The ambition is clear: "I want to be the number one at Manchester City, otherwise I wouldn't have come at all," he told 11 Freunde magazine recently.

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