Daniel Farke embraces record signing James Trafford
Daniel Farke embraces record signing James Trafford(Image: Darren Staples / AFP via Getty Images)
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Daniel Farke has been left impressed by the “special mindset” James Trafford has brought with him to Leeds United, also explaining how easy he found transfer talks with the goalkeeper.
Trafford started the first two of England’s four Nations League matches this international break; against world champions Spain amid a 3-2 defeat, and a 2-0 clean sheet win away to Czechia.
Leeds boss Farke was delighted that his goalkeeper got his first competitive international appearances, having kept two Premier League clean sheets in the opening five games amid a league-high save percentage of 87%.
He was "desperate" to sign Trafford from Manchester City this summer, and ultimately a club record £45million deal was agreed. The 23-year-old has impressed supporters with his cool demeanour and tidy footwork.
Farke has also previously noted how this has in turn fed confidence into his defenders, leading to a joint-low goals-against tally (three) across the division. “He’s relaxed. You have to be like this as a goalkeeper,” said Farke ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime trip to Arsenal.
“It helps a bit if you have natural arrogance. If you’re too thoughtful as a goalkeeper, and you come with shaky hands on the pitch, you have no chance.
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“Perhaps natural self-confidence is a better word to describe James. Also with his aura and his body language, you can feel that he knows he is bloody good.”
After helping Man City to two trophies last season - including keeping a clean sheet against Arsenal in March’s League Cup final - Trafford was hot property this summer, after new Blues boss Enzo Maresca decided to stick with Gianluigi Donnarumma as his first choice.
Leeds chiefs, aware of his quality and potential competition, made sure to be extra attentive to the youngster throughout the race for his signature. Farke himself, who only talks to a player when he is in the final stages of signing, said he didn’t feel the need to convince Trafford to join.
“He grew up not too far away and knew exactly what Leeds United as a club is all about,” Farke explained. “We spoke about my belief in him and my ambition and project for this club.
“For this calibre of player, it always lasts a while to get negotiations in the right way for everyone. My chats with him, from my side, were quite easy.
“It seems like he liked it but it wasn’t too difficult, it wasn’t like I had to pursue him. I just spoke about what we want to do and I got the feeling he was quickly sold.”
While plaudits have been handed to Trafford and his fantastic potential, Leeds and their fans will expect a level of performance from him given the amount forked out. Farke is assured that the shot-stopper has the right mentality to cope with this pressure.
Farke added: “You can’t fake quality. He has the quality. He plays for a huge club with passionate supporters, with lots of expectation and noise around it.
“If there is ever one poor game, everyone is on him. And you need this special mindset and character to be successful at Leeds United. It’s not for everyone.
“But this is also why I wanted him, because I knew he has that mindset to have an attitude of natural self-belief and aura.
“Of course, he’s still a human being, he’s not a machine. He also has emotions but in a relaxed way about himself and everything. He can handle the pressure.
“If you don’t have this skill, then you better not sign for Leeds United; not as a player, not as a staff member or a manager.”
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