Exclusive: Former Man City goalkeeper sends three-word message to James Trafford amid Gianluigi Donnarumma dominance | OneFootball

Manchester City’s James Trafford has received a direct message from former Etihad Stadium and England international goalkeeper David James over his future.

Trafford’s future at the Etihad Stadium has been thrown into question since Gianluigi Donnarumma completed a sensational deadline day transfer to Manchester City from Paris Saint-Germain for £26 million after a public fallout with his former clun.

Executives at the Etihad Stadium – led by newly-appointed director of football Hugo Viana – signed Trafford from Burnley for £27 million in July to bolster Pep Guardiola’s goalkeeping department amidst erstwhile doubts over the future of Ederson, who entered the summer with a desire for a new challenge away from England.

Trafford left Manchester City in the summer of 2023 and gained some brilliant senior experience with two seasons at Burnley, returning to his boyhood club in a full-circle moment for the 22-year-old England international, who started each of City’s opening trio of Premier League games of the season in August.

However, the opportunity to sign Donnarumma – regarded as one of the best shotstoppers in the modern game by Guardiola – was deemed too good to pass on by Manchester City bosses, who followed up their capture of Trafford with a sensational deal for Donnarumma.

Donnarumma has been a key hallmark of Manchester City’s resurgence as title challengers this season as the Italy international has kept five clean sheets in his first eight appearances for the Blues, who have climbed up to second place in the Premier League table ahead of Sunday’s visit to Aston Villa.

Trafford has started just once – in a 2-0 Carabao Cup third-round win away at Huddersfield – for Manchester City since Donnarumma was signed and there remain huge question marks over the prospects of the Englishman, who is struggling to get a look in the starting XI ahead of his Italian teammate.

Speaking exclusively to City Xtra on behalf of AskGamblers, former Manchester City and England goalkeeper David James has sent a clear message of support and encouragement to Trafford as the young shot-stopper continues to act as back-up to Donnarumma under Guardiola.

“The easy and obvious advice is, just be ready. You don’t know what the situation is,” James said. “My position at Liverpool – touching on that although I was slightly older, I think 24 at the time – Bruce (Grobbelaar) got injured in a game with a few minutes to go, and I got my chance. And from then on in, I kept my place.

“I don’t think I missed a game for three or four years. It’s slightly different because Bruce was more towards the end of his career than (Gianluigi) Donnarumma. Donnarumma could get suspended for something innocuous or pick up an injury.

“I don’t think his injury record is actually that bad, which would be slightly concerning, but if James (Trafford) thinks he’s not going to get chances.

“You’ve got many different cup opportunities at least to prove yourself – then he won’t give himself the best chance to be able to step in, take the position back and, with the World Cup coming, prove he should be in Thomas Tuchel’s side or starting squad.”

Trafford is expected to retain his place on the bench when Manchester City face Aston Villa in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon, with the Blues aiming to keep up the pressure on title rivals and league leaders Arsenal, who are three points clear of Guardiola and co.