James Trafford is preparing for Manchester City’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford on Tuesday afternoon after manager Pep Guardiola told the media he would start the game.
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma is polishing off his latest personal accolade as he was named FIFA’s best goalkeeper of 2025, three months after picking up a similar award at the Ballon d’Or.
advertise
It sums up how Trafford stacks up against the best teams in the business.
The Englishman started the season in first place after returning to Manchester City in the summer, but has been warming up the bench since the Italian’s arrival from Paris Saint-Germain.
Trafford proved his quality with a clean sheet in City’s 2-0 win over the Bees on Wednesday, helping the side reach the semi-finals where they will face Newcastle. However, he will return to the bench for Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham United.
“He is a goalkeeper and James cannot play at left-back,” Guardiola said when asked about Trafford’s game time. “At the moment we have a goalkeeper in Gigio playing in that position, but he is a top goalkeeper, there is no doubt about it. I’m really happy that he can play two more games.”
advertise
“He played in the Champions League and I’m a guy who wants to give everyone a chance.”
Trafford must ‘hang in there’
Trafford left Burnley in July to sign a five-year contract with Manchester City, where he rose to prominence but did not make a first-team appearance in his first season.
Ederson left to join Fenerbahce due to injury, meaning he only featured in the first three games and was confident of keeping his place.
But Guardiola may have felt his dream move had turned into a nightmare when he decided the opportunity to sign Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain for £26m on deadline day was too good to turn down.
advertise
Trafford’s representatives declined to comment when asked about his future, but just five months after his return, reports suggest he is open to the idea of leaving again.
His game against Brentford was only his seventh game of the season, so not only did he not feature regularly, he also had little opportunity to impress England manager Thomas Tuchel as he looks to keep his place in next year’s World Cup squad.
A move to Manchester City was meant to oust undisputed number one Jordan Pickford but now looks like a distant prospect, with the Everton stopper having kept a record nine consecutive clean sheets for England and Trafford yet to make his Three Lions debut.
“I feel sorry for Trafford,” former Manchester City goalkeeper Nicky Weaver told BBC Radio Manchester. “When we signed Donnarumma everyone was really excited but I’m sure Trafford wasn’t.
advertise
“When he signed, he probably thought he was going to be number one. We don’t know exactly what he was told, but when you have the opportunity to bring in someone of Donnarumma’s quality and age for a relatively modest fee, you have to take the chance. I feel for Trafford, I really like him.
“That’s the life of a goalkeeper. I’ve been first, second and third. It’s really difficult. You don’t see his way into the team.”
“He just has to keep at it and he can learn a lot from Donnarumma but I’m sure if he plays every week he will learn a lot.”
‘Trafford needs to play’
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, Guardiola was asked about Trafford’s importance at the club and described the player as “unbelievable” but said it was “unfortunate for Gigio” [Donnarumma] He’s the number one goalkeeper.”
advertise
A temporary move would make sense for the player, but not for the club as they lose a capable deputy. Sources say the club have no intention of letting Trafford leave midway through the season.
Guardiola was asked if the 23-year-old would definitely stay during the upcoming January transfer window and he replied “absolutely”, but added a warning leaving open the possibility of an exit.
The manager also said “we will see what happens” and that he has “no news” on Trafford as that aspect of the business is handled by sporting director Hugo Viana.
Weaver added: “I really don’t know where Trafford will go because there is no way out for him. Donnarumma is 37 years old, has one year left on his contract and he is in the prime of his career.”
advertise
“I’m sure there have been conversations and I don’t want anything to happen midway through the season. But he will be desperate to play in the World Cup and for that he needs to play.”
For now, though, Trafford is a regular for City in the Carabao Cup – they’ve reached the last four, keeping hopes of a Champions’ medal alive.
This is an opportunity that any goalkeeper would be willing to grab with both hands.
