This weekend could see Manchester City’s summer transfer business start to take shape.
Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford punches a corner away on his most recent appearance for the Blues(Image: Oli SCARFF / AFP via Getty Images)
“With Trafford, I see the training sessions and for a long time I haven’t seen a goalkeeper as good as James,” Pep Guardiola said back in October. But sadly for Manchester City’s summer signing, the praise came with a caveat. “We have two incredible ‘keepers. Gigio [Donnarumma] for experience, even though he’s just 26 because he started playing with Milan at 17,” he added.
“He’s won the European Cup. Of course, he’s a really good ‘keeper and I’m happy for him. Since I have been here, always I have had really good ‘keepers.” When Trafford returned to City, he could not have anticipated this season.
The 23-year-old started the campaign as No.1 but once Donnarumma arrived from PSG, the pecking order was shifted. Trafford has not played in the Premier League since the 2-1 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion in August. Fortunately, City have gone all the way to the Carabao Cup final and remain in the FA Cup, otherwise Trafford would have had even less playing time.
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It is in the FA Cup on Saturday that Trafford will make his 12th appearance for the Blues. It will be against Newcastle United, a side he has played almost 20 per cent of his matches for City against.
Eddie Howe’s side were also the ones who pushed hardest to sign Trafford last summer before the Blues swooped in. Newcastle were keen to bring in the Englishman as their new first choice. Aaron Ramsdale arrived on loan from Southampton but the Magpies are likely to delve into the market again at the end of the season.