Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com
and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565
Visit Shots! now
A former Manchester City wonderkid is the subject of interest from Champions League hopefuls Newcastle United
It’s now been nearly two years since up and coming England goalkeeper James Trafford left Manchester City on a permanent basis, after an eight-year association with the club.
Trafford, who was born and raised in Cumbria, actually began his academy journey at Carlisle United as a midfielder, before offering to go in between the posts at the age of nine and establishing himself as one of the country’s very best. He arrived at City in 2015 and spent almost a decade learning the ropes at the club’s highly-esteemed Etihad Campus.
In that time, Trafford gained plenty of experience in the England youth teams at Under-17 all the way up to Under-21 level while also attaining bags of professional minutes out on loan in League One with Accrington Stanley and twice at Bolton Wanderers, before really putting his name into people’s minds in a record-breaking European Championship campaign with England’s Under-21 team in 2023. During this time, he helped his team to a first honour since 1984 at that age group, while also becoming the first goalkeeper in history to go an entire campaign without conceding, with his most prominent moment being a penalty save in the final to deny Abel Ruiz in the dying seconds.
Why James Trafford left Manchester City for Burnley
When newly promoted Burnley, managed by Trafford’s former, but much more senior teammate Vincent Kompany, came in with a £19m plus add-ons offer to sign him, Trafford explained it was a very straightforward decision.
Trafford was on the books at Manchester City for eight years ,but never got a chance to even make the bench for the Cityzens in a Premier League fixture. The highest level he had played at had been League One with Bolton where he had made the Team of the Season and won the EFL Trophy, but by 2023 fresh from his Euros success, Trafford was ready to test himself in the big time.
Reflecting on his move, Trafford explained, via Burnley's YouTube channel, Trafford said: "It wasn't really too tough [to leave City] because over the past two seasons, I've been out on loan so I haven't really been in the building much. I used to go in once every week or every two weeks to go over my clips with the goalie coach, but it wasn't really too tough.
"They knew it's what I wanted to do and is it what I wanted to do so they were fine with it. I grew up massively. I went out on loan when I was 18 and now I'm 20 but I'm massively grown up, especially from Accy and Bolton. They've just improved me massively and brought me to this position where I am now."
He became the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history when he moved to Turf Moor, but Trafford’s first taste of the Premier League proved to be a baptism of fire as he conceded three on his debut against Manchester City. The Clarets had to wait until matchday seven to pick up their first victory and they would manage just five wins all season whilst consistently leaking goals.
“The first time I actually touched the ball in the Prem was picking the ball out of the back of the net from (Erling) Haaland,” Trafford told Farmers Weekly. “Talk about a difficult introduction! It’s the best league in the world for a reason, every game is so tough. The talent in the league is unbelievable - bigger than anyone can understand unless you’ve played in it. They weren’t always good experiences, there were a lot of tough times. But you grow the most in the tough times, I honestly wouldn’t have changed anything for the world.”
Trafford was on the cusp of an England debut, making the squads several times throughout the qualifiers and friendlies but ultimately missing out on Euro 2024. He has a combined 34 appearances for the Three Lions at various age groups and it seems almost inevitable at some point in the near future that he will get his first cap.
Why Newcastle United are desperate to land James Trafford
When Newcastle United first began to show interest in James Trafford during the summer of 2024, it’s fair to say a few eyebrows were raised, particularly after Burnley’s relegation and the fact that Nick Pope had returned to fitness.
A number of outlets reported that terms between Trafford and Newcastle were already agreed. However, the stumbling block amid the Magpies' battles with PSR at the time was the player’s price and the fact an agreement on valuation couldn’t be reached. Despite this, that initial interest has never faded, and if anything has only intensified after watching the 22-year-old produce a series of stellar displays in the second tier while establishing himself as one of the most sought after young keepers around.
Overall, since the start of the Championship season, Trafford has played 38 games, conceding just 11 goals - the best in the Championship while keeping 27 clean sheets - six higher than Leeds United’s Illan Meslier, who has the second most at 21. He’s also saved both of the two penalties he has faced this year against Sunderland - and broke the record for most consecutive clean sheets in Championship history (12) breaking the previous record of 10.
The Magpies have consistently rotated between Nick Pope and an ageing Martin Dubravka throughout the season and although both have their perks with Dubravka’s distribution and Pope’s shot-stopping, it’s clear Trafford is seen as the most complete goalkeeper with high prowess in both areas and a ridiculously high ceiling at just 22.
Trafford’s progress at such a young age makes great reading for the England national team when you bear in mind that keepers often peak much later than outfield players.
Fabrizio Romano posted on X: ‘Newcastle agreed personal terms with James Trafford since summer 2024 and the verbal pact is still valid. He’s still top of the list as new GK for Newcastle next season.”
It remains to be seen whether the Magpies finally land their long-term target, but with the club looking to press on in the summer transfer window are relatively restrained spending in recent times, Trafford could well finally seal a move to St. James’ Park.
Continue Reading