Newcastle United suffered plenty of blows during the summer transfer window, but are hoping to have the last laugh.
By the time the window slammed shut, the Magpies had enjoyed a productive summer. They made six senior signings, all of which improve Eddie Howe’s squad.
All the while, the players who Newcastle United missed out on are producing varying results. Hugo Ekitike and Joao Pedro are doing very well at Liverpool and Chelsea, but it is a different story for Benjamin Sesko at Manchester United.
Elsewhere, James Trafford has already lost his place in the Manchester City starting XI to Gianluigi Donnarumma. The 26-year-old made his Man City debut on Sunday, keeping a clean sheet as Pep Guardiola’s side won the Manchester derby 3-0.
It was an outstanding performance from Donnarumma, while Trafford watched on from the bench.
Gianluigi Donnarumma applauds the fans after Manchester City's win over Manchester United.
Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images
Alan Shearer makes James Trafford claim after being dropped by Manchester City
The Italy international’s debut was defined by a glorious save to deny Bryan Mbeumo. It was a world class moment from a world class player.
Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer was blown away by what Donnarumma did, praising him on the latest episode of the Rest Is Football podcast alongside Gary Lineker and Micah Richards.
Following Donnarumma’s debut, Shearer’s fellow podcasters had sympathy for Trafford after seeing him drop to the bench. However, Shearer did not care after Trafford snubbed Newcastle United to return to the Etihad.
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Shearer: “What a save from Mbeumo, wasn’t it?”
Richards: “I feel so sorry for Trafford, but that save…”
Lineker: “Me too.”
Shearer: “He should have signed for Newcastle then, shouldn’t he?”
James Trafford would be playing even less for Newcastle United
It felt like a real blow when Trafford joined Man City for £27million. A deal was there to be done for Newcastle, but they allowed the situation to drag on and on.
By the time Newcastle did make an acceptable offer, Man City swooped in. Trafford chose them, insisting that he always had visions of returning to the club that sold him in 2023.
Having started the season in Man City’s starting XI, Trafford now finds himself on the bench. That is likely where he will remain, with Donnarumma up there with the best goalkeepers in the world.
It could have Trafford questioning his decision, having been offered a clear path towards being Newcastle United’s long-term number one.
However, the truth is that Trafford would probably be playing even less for Newcastle right now. Eddie Howe has put his faith in Nick Pope at the start of the season, and he has justified his selection with some very strong performances.
Pope has kept three clean sheets in four games, with summer signing Aaron Ramsdale currently unable to get into the team.