Manchester City defender Eliaquim Mangala has claimed that Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne are not guaranteed places in the team due to the amount of talent among the ranks.
The two-time Premier League champions spent well in excess of £100m on new players in the summer transfer window.
Mangala is wary that new arrival Nicolas Otamendi could snatch his place in defence, while Sterling and De Bruyne also face the axe if they do not perform consistently.
"Otamendi makes the team stronger and I know Nico really well because I played with him at Porto," Mangala told UEFA.com. "I know his skills and his level. If you are not giving your best, he is there [to take your place].
"It is the same with every player. We bought Kevin De Bruyne, we bought Raheem Sterling, so it is the same for the forwards. They know they must perform because if they do not they will be replaced."
City made a blistering start to the season by winning their first five league matches, but they have since suffered back-to-back defeats.
