Manchester City's deputy goalkeeper James Trafford has openly discussed his unexpected situation at the club following the high-profile signing of Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer. Trafford, who returned to City from Burnley in a £31 million deal on 31 July, revealed he did not anticipate the club's move for Donnarumma, who arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million on 2 September and immediately became Pep Guardiola's preferred choice between the posts.
From Starting Role to Cup Appearances
While Trafford started all three of Manchester City's opening Premier League matches in August, his role has diminished significantly since Donnarumma's arrival. The English goalkeeper has been limited to appearances in cup competitions, featuring eight times in the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Champions League, but not in the Premier League since those initial games.
A Career Development Perspective
Speaking after Manchester City's 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Salford, where he made a spectacular flying save, Trafford reflected on his current circumstances. "Yeah, it's been good," he said about his return to the club he joined as a 12-year-old in 2015. "I didn't expect the situation with Donnarumma to happen but it happened, so just get on with it. So it's happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot."
The goalkeeper emphasized that before Donnarumma's signing, he had not received assurances about being the number one choice. "No, it wasn't that," Trafford clarified. "So it is what it is. It's football, you've got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can. This is just another experience to add to my career and it has been a good learning experience."
Contract Uncertainty and Summer Exit Possibility
Despite signing a five-year contract with an option for an additional year, Trafford expressed uncertainty about his future at Manchester City beyond the current season. "Who knows, it's football. Let's take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens," he stated. "I've obviously got a contract, so don't know what happens next season. I just know that I'll just take it a day at a time and try and improve."
International Ambitions and World Cup Prospects
Trafford received a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad in November following Nick Pope's withdrawal, but he has not discussed his World Cup prospects with the national team manager. "No, obviously everyone knows what's going on with me," Trafford explained. "So I've just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can. I haven't spoken to them about if that's enough, but I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it's just down to me."
The goalkeeper's situation highlights the competitive nature of top-level football, where even substantial transfer fees and long-term contracts provide no guarantees of playing time. Trafford's professional approach to his current circumstances demonstrates his commitment to development despite the unexpected challenges presented by Donnarumma's arrival at Manchester City.
