James Trafford’s hopes of becoming Manchester City’s No.1 goalkeeper are in doubt following new comments from manager Pep Guardiola.The 22-year-old returned to the Etihad Stadium in the summer fol...
James Trafford’s hopes of becoming Manchester City’s No.1 goalkeeper are in doubt following new comments from manager Pep Guardiola.
The 22-year-old returned to the Etihad Stadium in the summer following an impressive spell with Burnley, where he gained valuable experience in a historic campaign for the club under Scott Parker returning back into the Premier League.
His progress has also been recognised at international level, with Thomas Tuchel viewing him as a goalkeeper with long-term England potential, and selected him as part of his most-recent Three Lions roster but playing second-choice to Jordan Pickford.
Trafford’s pathway to becoming first choice at Manchester City was complicated in dramatic fashion on transfer deadline day, when the club secured the blockbuster signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
The Italian international, widely regarded as one of the world’s finest keepers, immediately took the starting role from the youngster, starting against all of Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal in succession.
As a result, Trafford has slipped down the pecking order, seemingly competing instead with Stefan Ortega for domestic cup minutes, while questions continue to grow about whether he will remain satisfied with a back-up role.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s Carabao Cup third round tie against Huddersfield Town, manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Trafford will return between the posts after a spell away following Donnarumma’s arrival at the club.
Quizzed on how the Englishman had reacted to Donnarumma’s arrival at the Etihad Stadium on deadline day, Guardiola revealed, “Unbelievable. [With] Xabi Mancisidor, training better than ever. He’s a fantastic keeper.
“And with me, all the second keepers always play a lot of games. And there will not be an exception. When he’s so safe, so confident, so young, he will learn with Gigio [Donnarumma] and in the future, we’ll see what happens.”
But when asked whether he believes Trafford could become a future No.1 choice between the posts at the Etihad Stadium, Guardiola admitted, “I’m not a genius to anticipate what will happen in the future, I’m sorry to tell you. I would like to tell you but I don’t know.”
While Pep Guardiola’s words offer reassurance that Trafford will feature this season, they also underline the uncertainty surrounding his long-term role with the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon.
Consistent first-team football will be essential for the Englishman if he is to remain in contention for major international tournaments, while City may find themselves forced into a decision as early as the January transfer window, should Trafford push for a loan to protect his international ambitions.
Clubs across the Premier League and Europe would almost certainly express interest in securing his services, given his youth, distribution ability, and proven experience in top-flight football.
Much may depend on how Pep Guardiola rotates his goalkeepers across competitions this season. For now, James Trafford has the backing of his manager, but Gianluigi Donnarumma’s presence leaves a long shadow, and the question of whether the young Englishman will ever truly become City’s No.1 remains as open as ever.
Category: General Sports
