James Trafford has revealed that his mental wellbeing was the driving force behind his decision to leave Manchester City for Leeds United in the summer, describing his second spell at the Etihad Stadium as a "horrendous, horrendous feeling".
A Difficult Season at City
Trafford came through the ranks at City and gained experience on loan at Accrington Stanley and Bolton Wanderers. After impressing with Bolton, he joined Burnley on a permanent basis in 2023 to secure regular minutes. In his second season at Turf Moor, he was pivotal as the Clarets gained promotion to the Premier League, conceding just 16 goals in 45 Championship appearances and keeping 29 clean sheets.
That form put him back on City's radar, and with Ederson leaving, Trafford was signed as his replacement. The 24-year-old started last season as City's first choice but lost his place to Gianluigi Donnarumma before the end of August and never won it back. Thanks to City's successful runs in the FA and Carabao Cups, Trafford made 17 appearances across all competitions, won two trophies and earned a place at the World Cup.
Opening Up on the Mental Challenge
With his situation at City showing no signs of improving, Trafford joined Leeds in the summer and has since become integral to Daniel Farke's side. Speaking to Football Daily's The Football Interview, he explained how difficult it was being on the bench consistently.
"What a horrendous, horrendous feeling. Not playing," Trafford said. "You are ringing a lot of people and just venting. Like most people, you have a [bad] day at work and you ring someone up.
"I ring my dad, I ring my mum, I ring my missus, I ring my mates. I like ringing my mates and we can just have a good talk about it all. It's quite funny.
"I had to play regularly this season for my own mental wellbeing. You just lose yourself not playing. Maybe I'm different, I don't know, but the feeling of not playing every week, it felt horrendous."
Looking Back with Thankfulness
Trafford added: "I just had to play every week this season for that mental feel-good and to keep progressing with my career and edging me closer to achieving the dreams I want to achieve. Going into any season, I always have the highest of hopes and always the belief that it will go the best way it could.
"Unfortunately, we didn't win all four trophies. It didn't go how I expected it to go, but it happens.
"In the moment, I just tried to make the best of it as I could. Looking back, I don't think it was a disappointing season in the end because I learned so much, I improved so much and I won two trophies in one year.
"There were moments when I was very down, regretting things and feeling disappointed, but looking back, I'm very thankful for the experience. What an incredible year."
Impact at City
Trafford's departure has left Donnarumma as City's undisputed first choice. However, the Italian has been criticised this campaign for making a number of mistakes that led to goals. Enzo Maresca insists that Donnarumma will remain his No.1 for the foreseeable, despite having Geronimo Rulli as an alternative option. City have conceded the second highest amount of goals in the top six so far this season.
