Neil Warnock has admitted that Manchester City have done something this summer that has left him really “surprised”.
The Citizens have had an eventful summer, playing in the Club World Cup and making a host of big signings, many of them early on in the window.
Manchester City also dominated many of the headlines late on in the transfer window as they snapped up Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
Warnock, speaking on talkSPORT about all the goings-on at City, explained how one of their summer signings took him by surprise.
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James Trafford during Manchester City v Tottenham Hotspur.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Neil Warnock ‘surprised’ James Trafford rejoined Manchester City
City’s signing of Donnarumma has split opinion among fans and pundits alike, but Warnock is firmly in the camp which has welcomed the Italian’s arrival.
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When Gabriel Agbonlahor mentioned James Trafford and how he might feel due to Donnarumma’s arrival, Warnock admitted his return surprised him.
‘It’s tough,” Warnock began. “But you’ve got to think about the present, and I think that they needed this kind of goalkeeper.
“If I’m honest, I think they needed an experienced one.
“I was surprised when [Trafford] came back, but at that time I don’t think Pep thought there was too much wrong with the centre-backs.
“But I think he’s looked at the earlier games and this opportunity to sign this… I mean, this kid makes some saves, you know. He’s a hell of a [keeper].
“He’s big… he stands up and his head hits the crossbar! He’s got all the right attributes and I think it’ll turn their season round.”
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How Manchester City feel about James Trafford amid Gianluigi Donnarumma arrival
Judging by how pundits have been discussing the whole Trafford-Donnarumma situation, you would think that Trafford has joined City under false pretences of some sort.
However, Trafford joined City while Ederson was still at the club, suggesting he was always in line to start off as a No. 2.
After Trafford’s poor display at Spurs led to links with Besiktas, Fabrizio Romano stressed that Trafford is firmly in Man City’s plans this season.
You would think that City chiefs would have been clear as to their expectations for him, along with how much game time he would be getting early on in his time at the club.
Ederson has now left, while Stefan Ortega is expected to follow suit. This would see a goalkeeping trio of Donnarumma, Trafford, and Marcus Bettinelli, who is expected to be third-choice.