James Trafford's selection for England's competitive clash with Spain was a significant signal that Jordan Pickford's status as the undisputed No 1 is under threat, with the Everton keeper closing in on Peter Shilton's all-time caps record for an England goalkeeper.
Shilton won his 125th and final cap for England in the 1990 World Cup third-place play-off against Italy at the age of 40. Pickford, 32, has 91 England caps, and while Harry Kane will soon pass that mark, Pickford wants to finish his international career as the most capped England keeper of all time and set a number that looks unbeatable.
Tuchel splits games between keepers
Thomas Tuchel has split a four-game stretch into two games apiece for Pickford and Trafford, a move that seems fair given the thankless task of being an unused understudy at a long World Cup. There was an element of reward in Trafford's selection against Spain, but this was a competitive game against the world champions in front of a Wembley full house.
The decision could be seen as a shot across Pickford's bows, telling him his position is no longer undisputed. Trafford, who conceded three goals against Spain, exuded post-match confidence to suggest he fancies his chances of permanently deposing Pickford.
Trafford's confidence and journey
Trafford said: "I feel like I've had a great start to the season. The one thing I'm doing is playing and playing regularly and that's one thing you have to do to get picked for your country."
He added: "It's every goalkeeper's dream and every footballer's dream to play for England and start for England. Everyone believes they can start and everyone's just trying to prove every day that they can start."
When he first took over, Tuchel made it clear he wanted more competition for Pickford's position, but Trafford's demotion to the Premier League bench at Manchester City scuppered that prospect. After his £40million move to Elland Road, Trafford can now go head-to-head with Pickford.
He said: "Make no illusions. There are not many players who don't play (in the Premier League) that start for any national team and it was always my aim to play in a top league and play for a top team in Leeds this season. That's what I wanted to do."
He added: "It's an amazing club and I've loved every day that I've been there. It's a great set of lads. I'm really happy."
Trafford had returned to the Etihad as the obvious successor to Ederson, but City then made a late-summer window move for Gianluigi Donnarumma, and the ex-Burnley man was consigned to the domestic cup teams. He is not bitter, saying: "It obviously wasn't ideal how it panned out but looking back, I got two trophies to my name, so you take the positives and you play the cards you're dealt."
Friendly rivalry ahead of Prague start
Trafford is being dealt another start by Tuchel in Prague on Tuesday night before Pickford takes over in Croatia and back at Wembley in a rematch with the Czech Republic. If this is some sort of head-to-head contest, Trafford is adamant it is a friendly one.
He said: "It's the reality in football that everyone competes for the starting eleven. But me and Picks are northern lads and get along really well."
