Newcastle United legend Shay Given is a big fan of James Trafford, who is set to move to Leeds United from Man City
England goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and James Trafford
England goalkeepers Jordan Pickford and James Trafford during the World Cup
Newcastle United goakeeping hero Shay Given has backed James Trafford to challenge Jordan Pickford for England's No 1 shirt - but would have loved to seen him join the Magpies this summer.
United were interested in rekindling a deal for the Manchester City shot-stopper, but were unwilling to meet the pricetag the Etihad outfit placed on their keeper.
Instead, Newcastle have turned their focus to Braga's Czech star Lukas Hornicek, with the 24-year-old set to become Newcastle's fifth signing of the summer.
Trafford is heading for Leeds United, and Given feels that's a move which could pay off for the keeper who had to be content with just a support role in England's World Cup campaign.
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"I’m not shocked to see James Trafford moving to a club like Leeds United," Given told BOYLE Sports, who offer the latest football odds. "I believe he’s already a top goalkeeper. I just wish he was going to Newcastle United this summer because he’s brilliant, and he’s got a huge future ahead of him.
"What I love about Trafford is that he’s got a real calmness about him when he plays and I think Leeds will be getting a brilliant goalkeeper if that deal gets across the line.
"Last summer was very, very tough on him. He was strongly linked with Newcastle United and by all accounts I think they were more or less there with a deal done to bring him in but Manchester City had that option to bring him back.
"They did that and Pep Guardiola told him you’re going to be my number one, you’re going to play, and they even gave him the number one jersey. All of that. Then two weeks later, they signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. I really felt for Trafford because he had an amazing time at Burnley.
"I think he broke all the clean sheets records that season and was really on top of his game, even talked about pushing Jordan Pickford all the way for the No 1 jersey in the World Cup. Then, through no fault of his in my opinion, the big man turns up from Italy who's not a bad goalkeeper either and Trafford was parked up for the season."
Trafford didn't get any game time at the World Cup, with Dean Henderson playing in the Bronze Medal game against France instead of Pickford, but Given has backed him to step up to challenge the Everton shot-stopper.
"All the goalkeepers around the England set-up are mates and they support each other and Jordan Pickford when he plays but they’ll all be desperate to take his place," he added. "That’s just human nature and James Trafford is no different.
"He'll feel that he'll want to play in the next major tournament and of course obviously they will have trained closely all summer, too. Thomas Tuchel will have had a really good look at Trafford, seeing his strengths and what kind of goalkeeper is, and what kind of person he is too. You need that in a goalkeeper too. Personality. I think Trafford is a good person to have around the group.
"He'll be pushing Pickford all the way every week at Leeds. There's no doubt about that, and Jordan knows that too. That's the position you're in when you're No 1 for your country.
"You know someone's trying to get the jersey off your back. It's not rocket science. He knows he has to stay at the top of his game."
Tribute to a true footballing legend, Kevin Keegan
As Britain’s only multi -Ballon d’Or winner, his deeds on the pitch for Liverpool, Hamburg, Southampton and Newcastle were legendary in their own right.
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This special edition covers off the many highs, and the occasional low, of a career in which Special K was the most popular footballer of his generation and then a manager the fan on the street could warm to and identify with.
To slightly alter the words of the great man himself, We’d Love It if you enjoy reading about the many memories. LOVE IT!
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