Manchester City keeper James Trafford impressed Pep Guardiola at Wolves in the absence of first choice Ederson
James Trafford
James Trafford
Pep Guardiola praised James Trafford's presence at Manchester City but left the door open for Ederson to return as No.1. Trafford stepped up to make his senior debut for the club after re-joining this summer in an emphatic 4-0 win at Wolves.
It marked a successful return for Trafford, although the circumstances of his start at Molineux were unusual. Ederson was expected to play but, amid strong transfer interest from Galatasaray, the keeper developed gastroenteritis on Friday and was ruled out of the squad.
Trafford was excellent in a first half where Wolves could have taken the lead, showing composure, good awareness of the game and a commanding presence in the box. Even in the second half after City had built their lead, the 22-year-old made saves to protect the clean sheet.
"In the academy for many years and played his first Premier League game away with a clean sheet with a good performance, he made good saves," said Guardiola afterwards. "He is tall, his presence is really good.
"I think the people like a lot having homegrown players from the academy playing with us. The people identify with Phil [Foden], Nico [O'Reilly], all the players. It’s nice."
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Trafford said last week he hopes to work hard enough to be City and England No.1 for a decade, but his task may be harder than expected. If Ederson leaves, the Blues are expected to move for PSG keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Trafford's performance may have served as a reminder of what City already have in their goalkeeping department, but when he was asked if the youngster was ready to step up if Ederson goes the manager instead offered a way back for his No.1 choice.
"Ederson is my player, our player. Ederson is the keeper of six Premier Leagues in seven years, he won the Champions League – he won (us the game) in Madrid and the final," he said.
"He played every single game during nine years,. He deserves beyond respect. Today he would have played but he was ill. What happens? I don’t know.
"Two years ago there were rumours about Saudi. He’s always behaved unbelievably. The club always needs two or three good keepers.
"Look at Stefan Ortega. He’s in a position where hopefully we find a solution but he gave us the league-saving moment at Spurs. He’s always played really good. We’re lucky we have really good keepers."
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