James Trafford has delivered a candid assessment of his situation at Manchester City, admitting he was left completely in the dark over the club’s stunning deadline-day move for Gianluigi Donnarumma and refusing to rule out an Etihad Stadium exit just months after his high-profile return.
The 23-year-old shot-stopper rejoined his boyhood club from Burnley in a £27 million deal last summer, turning down a lucrative move to Newcastle United in the process.
Having progressed through City’s academy ranks before departing in 2023, Trafford appeared to be following a carefully laid path towards becoming Pep Guardiola’s long-term successor to Ederson.
He was handed the number one jersey, started the first three Premier League fixtures of the season, and looked poised to finally establish himself at the highest level.
That carefully constructed plan unravelled spectacularly on transfer deadline day when City opportunistically swooped for Italy international and Euro 2020 winner Gianluigi Donnarumma, securing the 26-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million.
The towering Italian, a Champions League winner with an imposing reputation, was immediately installed as Guardiola’s first-choice custodian, a decision that has left Trafford watching on from the substitutes’ bench in the Premier League since August 31.
Speaking after keeping a clean sheet in City’s FA Cup fourth-round victory over Salford City, Trafford did not hide his surprise at the chain of events that have seen him relegated to cup duties just weeks after his dream return.
“I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it,” Trafford admitted candidly. When asked to clarify whether he was referring specifically to Donnarumma’s arrival, he confirmed: “Yeah. It’s happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot”.
Crucially, the England Under-21 international revealed that no assurances had been given about his status as number one, but equally, no warning was provided about the club’s pursuit of a world-class rival.
Asked if City’s move for Donnarumma had ever felt on the cards when he signed, Trafford’s response was blunt: “No, no. It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning”.
The goalkeeper’s frustration is tempered by a pragmatic understanding of football’s realities. “It wasn’t that, but it wasn’t what happened,” he reflected on any potential plans for his future.
“It is what it is. It’s football, it is what it is, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can”.
Despite his limited league involvement, Trafford has carved out a niche as City’s domestic cup specialist. He has featured 11 times across all competitions this season, playing an integral role in the club’s run to the Carabao Cup final where they will face Arsenal at Wembley next month.
Guardiola has been quick to praise his deputy, describing him as “so reliable” and a “fantastic keeper”. However, such plaudits may not be enough to convince the ambitious young goalkeeper to remain in a supporting role.
When pressed on his long-term future at the club he joined less than 12 months ago on a five-year contract, Trafford offered little in the way of commitment. “Let’s take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens,” he said.
“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”.
The situation carries significant implications beyond club level. With the World Cup on the horizon, Trafford’s lack of regular first-team football poses a genuine threat to his international aspirations under England boss Thomas Tuchel.
He was left out of a recent squad before earning a belated call-up due to injury, and the clock is ticking for him to make his case .
“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,” Trafford explained regarding his England prospects. “Obviously everyone knows what’s going on with me, so I’ve just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can”.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Trafford maintains a professional relationship with the man who has displaced him.
Speaking warmly of Donnarumma, he said: “He’s a great fella, he is a lovely man. We both train as hard as we can and try and improve ourselves. Obviously he’s had a great career so far and he’s got great standards”.