With all the talk surrounding the future of Rodri and the potential arrival of Elliot Anderson, it would be easy to forget that soon-to-be Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca has other matters on his to-do list this summer. One of the more intriguing subplots in this transfer window surrounds James Trafford.
Trafford's Uncertain Future
Trafford was City's second choice goalkeeper last season but it was not always meant to be that way. When the Blues managed to pip Newcastle to his signature last summer, the 23-year-old would have expected to be the first choice. Ederson was on his way out and Stefan Ortega was seen as a back-up option.
It felt like the perfect redemption arc for a player who had to leave his boyhood club to prove himself in senior football. However, by the end of the transfer window, he was pushed onto the bench by the incoming Italian goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma.
The 27-year-old quickly established himself as Pep Guardiola's preferred goalkeeper, much to the disappointment of Trafford. Even once Donnarumma arrived, the 23-year-old may have thought he had a shot of keeping his place in the starting XI. Guardiola's decade in Manchester saw him redefine the goalkeeper position.
One of his first acts as City head coach was to decide Joe Hart was not the man for him because of his weakness when it came to distribution. Hart was loaned to Torino in that first summer and was replaced by Claudio Bravo as Guardiola stamped his style on the club immediately.
But in his final season, Guardiola changed. Donnarumma left PSG last year because Luis Enrique favoured a shot stopper who was better with his feet. And while Donnarumma will argue his distribution is better than most goalkeepers in history, he is not at the level Guardiola envisioned for his sides throughout his career. Yet, there he was as City's first choice.
Instead of the focus being on distribution, Donnarumma's strengths were highlighted throughout the season as he made huge saves to keep City in the title race. All the while, Trafford was watching from the sidelines, having to wait for his opportunities in the domestic cups.
Maresca's Philosophy Offers Hope
Had Guardiola stayed at City for the final year of his contract, Trafford would have almost definitely left. His performances in the FA and Carabao Cups proved he is much better than a back-up 'keeper. But the arrival of Maresca could offer an opportunity for Trafford.
In his first season at Chelsea, the Italian was clear of what he demanded from his goalkeeper Robert Sanchez. Despite Sanchez looking uncomfortable playing short, Maresca persisted with this instruction. "I am the guy who asks Robert to do that," he admitted in October 2024. "And Robert is going to do that. In the moment he stops to do that, he is not going to play."
Maresca added: "If Robert makes a mistake, it's not Robert's problem, it's my mistake because I asked that from Robert. I am very happy with Robert and the way he is playing, building from the back."
In his second season, Maresca became more pragmatic on distribution but it is clear what he wants. Maresca has the same philosophy as Guardiola, until 2025. That gives Trafford an unlikely route back into the City team.
The Blues have a defence built to play out from the back so Maresca does not have to meet them halfway to implement his vision. Should he wish for his 'keeper to play short, he knows Trafford can do just that. It would suddenly make the battle between Trafford and Donnarumma closer than this season and could persuade the Englishman to stick with the Blues.
