James Trafford was a surprise inclusion for England's thrilling shootout with Spain at Wembley and the Leeds keeper has his sights firmly set on Jordan Pickford's shirt
James Trafford signs the national anthem before an England game
James Trafford was chosen to start England's game with Spain(Image: David Ramos/UEFA)
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When Peter Shilton won his 125th and final cap for England - in the 1990 World Cup third-place play-off against Italy - he was 40 years old.
Jordan Pickford is 32. He has 91 England caps. Don’t think for one minute the Everton keeper does not have Shilton’s number in his mind.
Harry Kane will pass that mark fairly soon but Pickford will want to finish his international career as the most capped England keeper of all time. And he will want to set a number that looks unbeatable.
But now he knows he faces a battle to make that happen. James Trafford did not put in a show-stopping performance against Spain - three goals conceded tells that simple truth - but his selection was significant.
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In a way, it seems fair and understandable that Thomas Tuchel should split a four-game stretch into two games apiece for Pickford and Trafford. After all, being an unused understudy at a long World Cup is a thankless task. There was an element of reward in Trafford’s selection against Spain.
But this was a game - a competitive game - against Spain in front of a Wembley full house.
Imagine Tuchel telling Harry Kane he had to sit this one out but would get a run in Croatia and against the Czech Republic back in London. Surely you play your best team against the world champions?
Maybe unfairly, this seemed like a shot across Pickford’s bows, a move that told him his position is no longer undisputed.
LONDON, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 26: James Trafford of England warms up before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between England and Spain at Wembley Stadium on September 26, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Trafford is now emerging as a serious rival to Jordan Pickford(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
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And for someone who had just let in three goals, Trafford certainly exuded enough post-match confidence to suggest he fancies his chances of permanently deposing Pickford.
He said: “I feel like I’ve had a great start to the season. The one thing I’m doing is playing and playing regularly and that’s one thing you have to do to get picked for your country.
“It’s every goalkeeper’s dream and every footballer’s dream to play for England and start for England. Everyone believes they can start and everyone’s just trying to prove every day that they can start.”
When he first took over, Tuchel made it clear that he wanted more competition for Pickford’s position but Trafford’s demotion to the Premier League bench at Manchester City effectively scuppered that prospect. But after his £40million move to Elland Road, Trafford can now go head-to-head with Pickford.
He said: “Make no illusions. There are not many players who don’t play (in the Premier League) that start for any national team and it was always my aim to play in a top league and play for a top team in Leeds this season. That’s what I wanted to do.
“It’s an amazing club and I’ve loved every day that I’ve been there. It’s a great set of lads. I’m really happy.”
Trafford had returned to the Etihad as the obvious successor to Ederson but City then made a late-summer window move for Gianluigi Donnarumma and the ex-Burnley man was consigned to the domestic cup teams.
But he is not bitter, saying: “It obviously wasn’t ideal how it panned out but looking back, I got two trophies to my name, so you take the positives and you play the cards you’re dealt.”
Jordan Pickford's place could come under threat moving forward
Pickford is closing in on Peter Shilton's record
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And Trafford is being dealt another start by Tuchel in Prague on Tuesday night before Pickford takes over in Croatia and back at Wembley in a rematch with the Czech Republic.
But if this is some sort of head-to-head contest, Trafford is adamant it is a friendly one.
He said: “It’s the reality in football that everyone competes for the starting eleven. But me and Picks are northern lads and get along really well.”
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