James Trafford has admitted he did not expect Manchester City to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma after returning from Burnley last summer, leaving his future at the club in doubt.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper rejoined City in a £31m deal before manager Pep Guardiola requested the addition of Donnarumma, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for £26m in September and became first choice.
Trafford started City’s opening three Premier League matches but has not featured in the competition since, making his other eight appearances in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League.
He told reporters after City’s 2-0 FA Cup win over Salford: “I didn’t expect the situation [with Donnarumma] to happen but it happened, so just get on with it.” Trafford, who signed a five-year contract with an option for an extra year, added: “Who knows… I’ve obviously got a contract, so don’t know what happens next season.”
The England international was called into Thomas Tuchel’s squad in November but has had no conversation about his World Cup prospects. “I haven’t spoken to them about if that’s enough,” he said. “But I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it’s just down to me.”
