James Trafford has admitted that he must become a club No.1 if he is to challenge Jordan Pickford for the England goalkeeper jersey. The 23-year-old finished the season with two trophies after helping Manchester City secure a domestic cup double, lifting both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
However, Trafford revealed that his move to the Etihad was driven by a goal to become City's first-choice keeper and ultimately England's No.1. That ambition did not materialise as planned, with City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma, leaving Trafford on the bench for Premier League games—a situation he described as "very tough."
When asked if being a club No.1 is essential for the England shirt, Trafford said: "I think history says yeah. There hasn't been a goalkeeper starting for any top nation who isn't a number one at their club. So, going off history, I'd say yes."
Reflecting on the past season, he added: "It's obviously been very challenging, but looking back, I've learned so much and developed so much. I thought I'd had many experiences, but this was something new. Some days were harder than others, but I kept winning and improving every day. I came out having played a part in winning two trophies. It was a very challenging season, but I learned a lot for my career."
Trafford acknowledged that if he had become England's No.1 for the tournament after his move, it would have been brilliant. "But obviously I didn't. They signed Gigi, and I didn't play the majority of games. That's football. The two trophies were really nice. Every day I just thought, 'Keep improving, keep trying to win the day.' Out of the cups, I got as many games as possible because we reached both finals. At the end of the day, I knew whenever I played, I had to perform."
England's Set-Piece Concerns
England boss Thomas Tuchel has expressed displeasure that England were used as an example in a referee video on stopping grappling at corners. Referees were shown footage of Adam Wharton blocking at a corner to allow Ben White to score in a friendly against Uruguay. Trafford insisted that wrestling at set-pieces is nothing new, but it is unfair if England are singled out.
"If England have been used as an example, maybe it is a bit unfair. When the ball comes in, I just watch the ball. Obviously, changing the rules is looking to change something. I think blocking in the league this year is the first year everyone's spoken about it, but it's not new. Everyone blocks the goalkeeper. It's only because people talk about it more, like long throws. It's always been in the game."
Home Comforts in World Cup Camp
Trafford and his England teammates have been given special luxuries to feel at home in their World Cup base. FA bosses asked WAGs to provide keepsakes, pictures, and gifts for the players' rooms at The Inn at Meadowbrook in Kansas. Pictures were scanned into an iPad, and a basketball hoop, games room, and TVs were installed.
Trafford revealed that his partner bought him a Lego tractor set because he grew up on a farm in Cumbria. "There was an iPad with photos, like a slideshow. The first photo was me and my missus. Then I had a box with things to open at different stages—face masks and a Lego set. My missus has no clue about football. I told her we'd be away for a month and a half, so she put a thing for every week. The Lego is a tractor. I'm a farmer, aren't I? She gave me a tractor to build."
He added that the camp includes communal areas, a recovery place, pools, a sauna, and a relaxation area. "There's a basketball hoop. The other night, I watched the football with Scotland on the telly."
