Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala insists he is relishing the competition for places at the Etihad Stadium, despite his wait for a first-team debut.
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Mangala, 23, became the most expensive defender in the history of English football when City paid Porto 32 million pounds for him in August.
But the France international did not figure in any of City's first four Premier League games and, although he was not deemed match fit before the international break, he was only an unused substitute for Saturday's 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
Captain Vincent Kompany and Martin Demichelis have been manager Manuel Pellegrini's preferred centre-backs as Mangala has had to wait for his chance.
But he has no complaints, telling City's official website: "Competition is good for me and good for the team. The more competition you have, the more competitive the team will be and the more you improve.
"I am not scared of competition. It is the competition for places which will make me progress - so they will have to continue to play well and I will have to work harder.
"When I get my chance it will be up to me to show what I can do and I know there will be no room for mistakes."