James Trafford almost joined Newcastle in the summer before rejoining Man City
Man City's Gianluigi Donnarumma was excellent against Newcastle
Man City's Gianluigi Donnarumma was excellent against Newcastle
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On another day, Man City goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma's performance could well have earned his side a draw, or even a win, against Newcastle on Saturday evening.
As it transpired, the Magpies ran out 2-1 winners after Harvey Barnes twice managed to penetrate the Italian goalkeeper's defensive breach, but it was a performance that served as a reminder of just why he is one of the world's best goalkeepers.
Four times Donnarumma made huge point blank saves to keep his side in the game. The first came inside the first minute when Barnes was the beneficiary of Joelinton winning the ball back on the edge of City's box but Donnarumma got down low to deny him a certain goal.
Minutes later he acrobatically flicked the ball away from goal from Nick Woltemade's header from a Jacob Murphy cross, before then stopping the German international again from close range just moments later. In the second half, Woltemade was first to another Murphy cross and again Donnarumma got down low to keep the ball out of the net.
He was unable to prevent Harvey Barnes from grabbing the winner, but showed the force of his personality in clashing with both the referee (which earned him a yellow card) and Newcastle assistant Jason Tindall on the touchline. It was certainly an eventful evening for the Italian.
Gianluigi Donnarumma
Gianluigi Donnarumma
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And all the while, James Trafford was sat as a spectator on the City bench wondering how on earth he will usurp the former PSG goalkeeper as City's number one goalkeeper.
Trafford re-joined City in the summer in a £27million deal from Burnley after they activated a clause to match Newcastle's bid that the Clarets were planning to accept. The Magpies had pursued the 22-year-old for two successive transfer window but were snubbed in the end as City made their move.
Trafford started the first three games of the season - looking a little uncomfortable at times - only for City to go into the transfer market to sign Donnarumma from PSG.
Since then, he has had to play second fiddle and the sobering reality of his choice would have really hit home on Saturday evening as he watched the team he could have joined beat the team he did join, all while one of the world's best goalkeepers put in an excellent display.
Something will have to give if Trafford has designs on playing for England - perhaps even in January as he chases a World Cup place.
Nick Pope has had an excellent season for Newcastle and, ironically, was picked ahead of Trafford in Thomas Tuchel's initial England squad earlier this month, before he had to pull out with concussion.
Pope was solid again for Newcastle against City as he looks to push his own World Cup bid. It will help that he is playing every week in both the Premier League and Champions League.
As for Trafford, it is safe to say his decision to rejoin Man City, instead of moving to Newcastle, is continuing to backfire.
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