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Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel says his former club should be competing for the signature of Man City goalkeeper James Trafford.
The 23-year-old is believed to be on the verge of leaving the Etihad Stadium for Leeds in a deal worth in excess of £40m, but Mikel thinks Chelsea should be looking to snap him up:
“I’m looking at a goalkeeper from Manchester City: James Trafford. He’s there, he’s available. Why don’t we go and get him, James Trafford? Why don’t we just go and get him?”
“Everybody is trying to get him right now. Gianluigi Donnarumma is there [at Manchester City], Donnarumma is going to play. He [Trafford] wants to play. An English goalkeeper, a young and talented goalkeeper, 23 years old. Why don’t we go and get him? Leeds are trying to get him right now.”
“He’s good with his feet, he’s a very, very good shot-stopper. We saw how he played before Donnarumma arrived; I think he’s a really, really good goalkeeper. Why don’t we go and get him?”
Trafford is joining Leeds
It was reported on the 27th July – 9 days ago – that the England international was poised to make the move to Elland Road.
Although there hasn’t been any further news since then, there is still an expectation that Trafford will complete his transfer following a medical. The chances of Chelsea (or any other team) hijacking the deal are pretty low.
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Man City have identified a replacement
The delay in Trafford’s departure is more than likely down to Director of Football Hugo Viana wanting to have a keeper lined up to replace him.
A first bid has been tabled for Marseille’s Geronimo Rulli, and it is expected that an agreement on the transfer fee for the Argentinian international won’t take long to be reached.
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