Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has declared that James Trafford is destined to become England's number one goalkeeper "sooner or later". Guardiola's strong endorsement comes even as the 23-year-old Trafford finds himself facing stiff competition for playing time at the club.
Trafford, a product of Manchester City's academy, made a high-profile return to the Etihad Stadium this past summer in a £27 million deal. His arrival followed an impressive spell with Burnley, where he played a key role in their Championship-winning, record-breaking defense last season. Trafford anticipated competing with Ederson for the starting goalkeeper position and began the first three league games of the season.
However, the landscape shifted dramatically when Manchester City seized the opportunity to sign Italian star Gianluigi Donnarumma late in the transfer window. This acquisition has relegated Trafford to the bench, with his upcoming Carabao Cup match against Swansea marking his first start since the previous round against Huddersfield more than a month ago.
Despite the setback in playing time, Guardiola has been impressed with Trafford's attitude and development. "All I can say is we are delighted with his behaviour in training," Guardiola stated. "One of the reasons why we want to go through in this competition is because they all have to be ready in case we need them in the Premier League and the Champions League".
Trafford's journey to potentially becoming England's first-choice keeper has seen him included in every squad selected by current England manager Thomas Tuchel, despite remaining uncapped at the senior level. Guardiola confirmed that he has discussed Trafford's international prospects with him, along with other players.
Prior to his return to Manchester City, Trafford enjoyed a successful loan spell at Bolton Wanderers. He also represented England at various youth levels, including the U17, U18, U19, U20, and U21 squads. Notably, he was a part of the England U21 team that won the 2023 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where he remarkably did not concede a single goal throughout the entire tournament. In the final against Spain, he saved a stoppage-time penalty and the subsequent rebound, securing a 1-0 victory for England.
Born on October 10, 2002, James Harrington Trafford began his career with Cockermouth and Carlisle United before joining Manchester City's academy in 2015. Before focusing on goalkeeping, Trafford initially played as an outfield player, starting as a midfielder at Carlisle United. He volunteered to become a goalkeeper at the age of nine. Trafford is known for his impressive reflexes and distribution skills, and his ability to maintain clean sheets.
