Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has candidly discussed his challenging return to the club, revealing that his lack of action on the pitch "wasn't what I expected" when he rejoined last summer. The 23-year-old, who came through City's youth academy, made a high-profile £27 million move back to the Etihad from Burnley, choosing City over Newcastle United after being assured he would become the first-choice goalkeeper following Ederson's departure to Fenerbahce.
Unexpected Setback with Donnarumma Arrival
However, Trafford's plans were disrupted when Manchester City secured the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on transfer deadline day. Since then, Trafford has been relegated to a backup role, playing second-fiddle to the Italian international. Donnarumma has featured in 30 matches for City this season, while Trafford has been limited to domestic cup games and a single Champions League appearance.
Rare Start in FA Cup Victory
Trafford was given a rare opportunity to start in Saturday's 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory against League Two side Salford City. Speaking post-match to BBC Sport, the England international hinted at his disappointment with how the season has unfolded under manager Pep Guardiola. "It was nice, it wasn't what I expected coming into the season," Trafford said when asked about playing again. "I tried to guard against the situation happening but it's the reality and I know every time I play, I have to give it my best shot and try and win and try and improve. It's the current situation I'm in."
When praised for making crucial saves before half-time during the match, Trafford remained grounded, stating, "We train every day but making saves, it's good fun." Overall, he has made just 11 appearances in all competitions for City this season, with all three of his Premier League appearances occurring back in August.
Transfer Speculation and England Ambitions
As revealed by Daily Mail Sport in December, Trafford was actively seeking a move away from Manchester City during the January transfer window to secure more playing time. However, a transfer never materialized as fellow backup goalkeeper Stefan Ortega instead departed for Nottingham Forest. Part of Trafford's discussions with City over the summer centered on the opportunity to claim the England starting jersey from Everton's Jordan Pickford.
World Cup Hopes in Jeopardy
The Cumbrian goalkeeper's lack of regular game time now jeopardizes his chances of making England's World Cup squad. England head coach Thomas Tuchel has been insistent that squad members must be playing regularly for their clubs to be considered for selection. Trafford's limited involvement at City means his international prospects are increasingly uncertain, adding to his frustration as he navigates this challenging phase of his career.
