Shay Given believes James Trafford has every chance of taking over from Jordan Pickford as England's first-choice goalkeeper – but the former Newcastle United stopper wishes the Manchester City man was heading to St James' Park rather than Leeds United this summer.
Newcastle's interest in Trafford
Newcastle had been interested in rekindling a deal for Trafford but were unwilling to meet Manchester City's asking price. The Magpies have since turned their attention to Braga goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, with the 24-year-old Czech expected to become the club's fifth signing of the summer.
Trafford is instead set to join Leeds United, a destination Given believes will suit the keeper who served as back-up during England's World Cup campaign.
Given's verdict on Trafford
"I'm not shocked to see James Trafford moving to a club like Leeds United," Given told BOYLE Sports. "I believe he's already a top goalkeeper. I just wish he was going to Newcastle United this summer because he's brilliant, and he's got a huge future ahead of him."
"What I love about Trafford is that he's got a real calmness about him when he plays and I think Leeds will be getting a brilliant goalkeeper if that deal gets across the line."
A difficult year at Manchester City
Given also recalled how close Trafford came to joining Newcastle last summer before Manchester City triggered an option to bring him back.
"Last summer was very, very tough on him. He was strongly linked with Newcastle United and by all accounts I think they were more or less there with a deal done to bring him in but Manchester City had that option to bring him back."
"They did that and Pep Guardiola told him you're going to be my number one, you're going to play, and they even gave him the number one jersey. All of that. Then two weeks later, they signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. I really felt for Trafford because he had an amazing time at Burnley."
"I think he broke all the clean sheets records that season and was really on top of his game, even talked about pushing Jordan Pickford all the way for the No 1 jersey in the World Cup. Then, through no fault of his in my opinion, the big man turns up from Italy who's not a bad goalkeeper either and Trafford was parked up for the season."
Pushing Pickford all the way
Trafford did not get any game time at the World Cup, with Dean Henderson playing in the Bronze Medal match against France instead of Pickford. Given, though, is confident Trafford can close the gap on the Everton number one.
"All the goalkeepers around the England set-up are mates and they support each other and Jordan Pickford when he plays but they'll all be desperate to take his place," he added. "That's just human nature and James Trafford is no different."
"He'll feel that he'll want to play in the next major tournament and of course obviously they will have trained closely all summer, too. Thomas Tuchel will have had a really good look at Trafford, seeing his strengths and what kind of goalkeeper is, and what kind of person he is too. You need that in a goalkeeper too. Personality. I think Trafford is a good person to have around the group."
"He'll be pushing Pickford all the way every week at Leeds. There's no doubt about that, and Jordan knows that too. That's the position you're in when you're No 1 for your country."
"You know someone's trying to get the jersey off your back. It's not rocket science. He knows he has to stay at the top of his game."
