Manchester City are facing a potential exodus of goalkeepers this January, with two members of their squad reportedly seeking moves away from the Etihad Stadium. This comes just months after the club undertook its first major overhaul of the goalkeeping department in eight years.
Trafford and Ortega Seek Fresh Starts
The players in question are James Trafford and Stefan Ortega. Trafford, a £27 million summer signing from Burnley, was initially told he would be the first-choice goalkeeper following his high-profile move. However, those plans were dramatically altered when City secured the deadline-day signing of Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
Since his arrival, Donnarumma has started every Premier League match, relegating Trafford to the bench. Stefan Ortega, meanwhile, finds himself as the fourth-choice option and is not even travelling with the squad for away fixtures.
Summer Promises and World Cup Worries
Part of the discussions that convinced Trafford to join Manchester City centred on the opportunity to challenge Everton's Jordan Pickford for the England number one shirt. However, his lack of playing time now threatens his place in the squad for the upcoming World Cup, with national team manager Thomas Tuchel known to insist on regular football for his selections.
City had used a matching rights clause to beat Newcastle United to Trafford's signature in July, and it is now expected that the Magpies will renew their interest in the 23-year-old when the transfer window reopens.
Disciplinary Cloud Over Donnarumma
While managing the potential departures, Pep Guardiola also has an immediate concern with his current first choice. Gianluigi Donnarumma is one yellow card away from a suspension. The 26-year-old received his fourth booking of the season in Saturday's dramatic 3-2 win over Leeds United.
If he receives a fifth before the tally is reset in the first week of January, he would become the first goalkeeper in Premier League history to be suspended for accumulating five yellow cards. Three of his bookings have been for dissent towards the referee, with another for time-wasting.
When questioned about the keeper's discipline, Guardiola stated he had not spoken to Donnarumma about his behaviour, simply remarking, 'There are many, that's the way it is.' City travel to face Fulham at Craven Cottage on Tuesday night, where a win could close the gap on leaders Arsenal to two points, but with their goalkeeper walking a disciplinary tightrope.
