James Trafford of Burnley celebrates after teammate Luca Koleosho (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Burnley FC at Elland Road on September 14, 2024 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)placeholder image
James Trafford of Burnley celebrates after teammate Luca Koleosho (not pictured) scores his team's first goal during the Sky Bet Championship match between Leeds United FC and Burnley FC at Elland Road on September 14, 2024 in Leeds, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images
NewcastleWorld spoke to the Burnley Express’ Matt Scrafton to talk all-things James Trafford.
They did last year too and would have succeeded had it not been for Premier League Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR). A desperate scenario left Newcastle with few options, and one was to sell academy graduate Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and take Greek goalkeeper Odysseas Vlachodimos in return.
A year on, and the Magpies seem determined to get their man this time with various whispers suggesting a deal is in the pipeline. Trafford is understood to have agreed personal terms with a transfer now subject to agreeing a fee with Burnley.
To gain a little more insight into Burnley’s stance and what Trafford would bring to Newcastle, NewcastleWorld spoke to Burnley Express’ Matt Scrafton to get the lowdown.
Q: Are Burnley open to selling James Trafford? If so, what figures do you think we're talking about?
MS: “It goes without saying that Burnley are keen to retain their star men and there’s no pressure from the board or from a financial perspective to sell anybody. Saying that, every player has their price and - as has been widely reported - if Newcastle meet Trafford’s price tag, the club are unlikely to stand in his way.
“It’s claimed Newcastle are willing to offer £30m, while Burnley are holding out for £40m. I wouldn’t be surprised at all to see a compromise reached at some stage during the transfer window, most likely including several clauses and sell-ons.
“After losing CJ Egan-Riley, one of the standout performers of their 100-point Championship campaign, to Marseille on a free transfer, the Clarets will certainly be in no mood to lose another of their star men unless they’re fairly remunerated.
“Fans of the opposing clubs might disagree on what that remuneration might look like, but Burnley are in a much stronger negotiating position this summer than they were last time.”
How do Burnley fans feel about the prospect of losing their number one, especially after last season?
MS: “Given the previous interest from Newcastle, the renewed talks haven’t exactly come as a surprise to Burnley fans. If anything, it’s felt like a case of when Trafford leaves Turf Moor, not if, for some time now.
“Obviously it would be a blow to lose the 22-year-old after such a remarkable campaign, where he kept 29 of Burnley’s 30 clean sheets and conceded just 16 league goals, but it was widely accepted some time ago that Trafford’s future would lie beyond Burnley and further up the food chain.
“If Burnley are fairly paid for his services, the goalkeeper will leave the fanbase’s best wishes and there will be no hard feelings whatsoever. If anything, there will be nothing but pride at the contribution Burnley made to his career when he inevitably becomes England’s number one later down the line.”
Does the signing of German goalkeeper Max Weiss offer any indication of James Trafford's future?
MS: “Not necessarily, although it will be interesting to see if Burnley dip back into the market for another number one should Trafford depart. Weiss’ arrival is said to be one with the future in mind. Aged 21 and with limited experience, does it make sense to throw him straight in given the pressures of the Premier League? I’m not so sure.”
After an outstanding season last year, is James Trafford ready to make the step up?
MS:” That’s the big question, isn’t it? He’s certainly better prepared this time around, having essentially been thrown in the deep end under Vincent Kompany two years ago. Aged just 20, and coming off the back of a season on loan in League One, it was too much, too soon for the stopper.
“That’s not to say he performed horrifically, he didn’t. He showed plenty of glimpses and he did improve as the season wore on. The experience will have been invaluable too. But he ought to have been eased in, rather than forced to sink or swim. Perhaps he could have even been taken out of the limelight for a few games and put back in, rather than remaining number one all the way to March, when Burnley were already as good as relegated.
“A season playing regular football in the Championship and regaining his confidence will have done Trafford the world of good. His ability to deal with crosses into his box, which was a particular weak point in the Premier League, has certainly improved. He’s also been aided by Scott Parker’s willingness to mix up Burnley’s build-play, rather than being incessantly forced to play out from the back under Kompany, which led to some of his more high-profile gaffes.
“Trafford’s shot-stopping has never been in question, but it is worth adding he was protected last season by, statistically speaking, the best defence in Europe. A lot of the time he didn’t have a great deal to do, but when he was called upon he was always excellent.
“His save ratio of 86.9 per cent was particularly impressive, finishing out on his own ahead of any other Championship keeper. I wouldn’t be surprised if it takes Trafford a little bit of time to adjust to the top flight again, but once he does I have no doubt he’ll be a long-term success.”
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