James Trafford only returned to his former club Manchester City in the summer, but has found his minutes limited following the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
James Trafford has struggled to get chances (Image: Getty Images)
James Trafford has put his future at Manchester City in doubt after being caught off guard by the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 23-year-old returned to the Etihad Stadium this summer after impressing with Burnley.
City paid around £31 million to beat Newcastle as Trafford was thought to be the club’s number one goalkeeper. He started the opening three Premier League games of the season, but was quickly supplanted by Gianluigi Donnarumma, who joined from Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the summer.
Since then, Trafford has only featured a handful of minutes in cup competitions. Speaking after the FA Cup win over Salford City at the weekend, he admitted his future could lie elsewhere.
He said, “Yeah, it’s good. I never expected this situation (with Donnarumma) to happen, but it happened, so good luck. So it happened. So I just work hard every day and see what happens and hope for the best.”
Asked if he had been promised the number one shirt by manager Josep Guardiola, Trafford replied: “No, he wasn’t. So that’s what it is.”
Make mirrors your first choice. Click here to enable or add us as a preferred source in your Google search settings
“This is football. You have to keep building every day and play your best in the upcoming games. This was another experience to add to my career and a good learning experience.”
“You never know, but it’s football,” Trafford said of his future with City. “Take it one day at a time, work as hard as you can, and whatever happens happens.
“Obviously, I’m under contract so I don’t know what’s going to happen next season. I just know that I’m going to take it one day at a time and try to improve.”
Trafford have fallen down the table due to the arrival of Donnarumma (Image: Getty Images)
Follow Man City FB page! Follow the Manchester City Mirror Football Facebook page
Trafford appears to have doubts over his future at City, but manager Josep Guardiola has made his feelings for the goalkeeper clear. “He’s very reliable. He’s a great keeper.”
Trafford joined City after impressing at Burnley and helped the Clarets win promotion to the Premier League with a record-breaking 29 clean sheets. He has signed a contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2029.
His arrival is part of a major restructuring of Guardiola’s goalkeeping department, with Brazilian stopper Ederson confirmed to join Fenerbahce. Stefan Ortega also left in January, joining Premier League rivals Nottingham Forest.
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive Mirror Football content every day. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
