Newcastle United’s clash with Manchester City brings James Trafford back into sharp focus despite the fact he’s barely playing under Pep Guardiola.
Trafford chose to join Manchester City ahead of Newcastle United after Eddie Howe had tracked the goalkeeper for two years.
The move to City is yet to work out for the 23-year-old, however. The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma has limited Trafford to a bench role in the Premier League and the Champions League.
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As such, Trafford has been linked with a move away from City. He certainly still has time on his side but Donnarumma is only 26 and has shown little sign of slowing down.
The Italian will almost certainly start again when Guardiola’s side come to Newcastle on Saturday but Guardiola has been full of praise for Trafford.
James Trafford reacts after conceding a goal for Manchester City against Tottenham.
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
James Trafford leaves Pep Guardiola impressed despite hardly playing for Manchester City
Interestingly, Newcastle’s Nick Pope was selected over Trafford for the most recent England squad but ultimately replaced him anyway due to injury.
Had it not been for the concussion that Pope has now recovered from, Trafford would have been out of the England squad with the 2026 World Cup on the horizon.
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However, despite Trafford’s recent links away, Guardiola insisted he’s been impressed with what he’s seen from the former Burnley stopper, perhaps suggesting he remains a key part of his plans.
“We have an incredible two goalkeepers with Gigi and James,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“I’m really impressed with James Trafford. How he’s developed since he left the academy here, how he grew up in the previous seasons, especially at Burnley.”
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It will be fascinating to see what happens with Trafford at City.
Clearly, he’s at a brilliant club and one who play so many games that opportunities could easily emerge.
Still, this is a player once tipped to become England’s No.1 in the future. The idea of him largely sitting on the bench for years seems remote.
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Newcastle aren’t certain to sign Aaron Ramsdale next summer, with the goalkeeper only on loan from Southampton.
The fact Ramsdale is yet to dislodge Pope as Newcastle’s first choice goalkeeper would suggest Howe is not fully convinced yet.
If Ramsdale isn’t signed permanently and Trafford becomes available again next summer, it would be a surprise not to see Newcastle go back in for him.