Steven Caulker wants Swansea confidence in Premier opener
Last updated on .From the section Football
Swansea City defender Steven Caulker has warned his team-mates not be overawed by Manchester City in Monday's Premier League opener.
FA Cup winners and title contenders Manchester City have spent more than £50m on players this summer.
Premier League newcomers Swansea, in contrast, have spent less than £10m on players since winning promotion.
"Obviously there's a lot of big names on the pitch," said Caulker. "But I'm confident in myself and in the team."
Argentina international striker Sergio Aguero strengthened Manchester City's squad when he joined for a club record £38m from Atletico Madrid.
Gael Clichy and Stefan Savic also bolstered the Champions League qualifiers in a squad that already included Carlos Tevez, Joe Hart, David Silva, Nigel de Jong and Yaya Toure.
"You've just got to name three of them and people will be falling off their chairs," continued Caulker.
"If I do play I'll be up against the likes of Aguero and it's just a matter of how you perform on that day. You will know what they're capable of."
But loan signing Caulker hopes the Swans can shock the big-spending Blues, who have spent around £400m on players since Sheikh Mansour took control in September 2008.
"If we perform to our best there's no reason why we can't give them a run for their money," said Caulker. We'll be looking to go there for the three points."
Caulker is one of six summer arrivals at Swansea since they won promotion beating Reading 4-2 in last season's Championship play-off final.
Strikers Danny Graham and , goalkeepers Michel Vorm and Jose Moreira and winger Wayne Routledge have also been signed by Swans boss Brendan Rodgers.
Caulker is on a season-long loan from Tottenham Hotspur and was mentored by Harry Redknapp's all-star backline of Ledley King, Michael Dawson, William Gallas and the now departed Jonathan Woodgate.
Redknapp's Spurs are an established Premier League club that reached the Champions League quarter-final whereas Swansea's major challenge will be to stay in the top flight.
"It's different obviously with money," said Caulker. "There's obviously a massive difference in the standard of the training ground et cetera.
"The facilities are obviously a little different to Tottenham. But that doesn't really bother me.
"For me this is actually more of a family club and that's how they've made me very welcome.
"It's been my dream since a little boy to get my chance in the Premier League.
"It has come with Swansea and there's a great chance of doing well this year. It's exciting for me and the team.
"Swansea is very much like the style at Tottenham. If I get my games here, hopefully I do well then it would be nice to be at Tottenham next year."
