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James Trafford has been linked with a potential loan move to St Mary's after recently re-signing for Man City

Sky Sports pundit and EFL expert Don Goodman believes that the potential loan signing of James Trafford in the upcoming January transfer window would help put a stop to the continuous defensive woes Southampton are enduring.

It has been a disastrous year-long period for Saints ever since they regained their Premier League status at the first time of asking by winning the Championship play-off final back in May 2024.

The South Coast side were a part of a trio of clubs - alongside Leicester City and Ipswich Town - who failed to bridge the gap between the top two divisions of English football for a second successive season, as well as narrowly avoiding the feat of becoming, at least, the joint-worst side in the 32-year history of the Premier League, ending the campaign on 12 points.

It has been a continuation of such woes for the newly-relegated outfit despite the promising appointment of Will Still back in May, with the 32-year-old becoming the youngest manager in the division in the process after impressive stints in the Belgian and French top-flights respectively.

The goalkeeping situation at St Mary's has created plenty of discussion of late, with Gavin Bazunu reinstated as the side's 'number one' following Aaron Ramsdale's loan exit to Newcastle United.

However, that could be set to change in the coming months, with Trafford, who recently rejoined Manchester City, already the subject of transfer interest.

Don Goodman issues claim involving Pep Guardiola as Southampton plot James Trafford loan move

Trafford has arguably become the standout goalkeeper at EFL level in recent years, impressing initially during a one-and-a-half year spell at Bolton Wanderers in League One, before eventually proving why Burnley acquired his services shortly after for a club-record £19m.

After a difficult first campaign at Turf Moor, the England international conceded just 16 times last season as the Clarets achieved a first-time promotion and 100-point haul, setting a Championship record number of 29 clean sheets in 46 games.

Amid major transfer interest from Newcastle, Trafford rejoined the Blues for £27m, yet has already seen his first-team place taken by fellow summer recruit, Gianluigi Donnarumma.

As such, it has been reported that both Southampton and Leicester are both keen on striking a loan agreement when the transfer window reopens.

Unsurprisingly, the aforementioned Goodman exclusively told Football League World that a shot-stopper of Trafford's calibre would be of massive benefit to Saints' expected promotion bid, although he believes Pep Guardiola may not sanction said agreement.

"I guess you have to feel a little bit sorry for James Trafford," he said. "Obviously, got his big move back to Manchester City, started the first few games of the season then, all of a sudden, Gianluigi Donnarumma comes in, and you're on the bench.

"After the season he had last season, tough to take. So, a loan move in January would be a great option for him. I'm not sure if Manchester City or Pep Guardiola would echo that sentiment," Goodman stated.

"Obviously, having a really strong back-up keeper is an important part of a squad.

"But, Southampton have had their troubles in goal over the past few years, haven't they," the pundit added. "Gavin Bazunu, who, on the face of it, has loads and loads of potential but makes a few too many basic mistakes. He's having a tough time.

"Southampton and James Trafford would be a good match for them," he claimed.

James Trafford's all-round ability would be of massive benefit to Southampton

As Goodman touched upon, it remains to be seen whether Guardiola would sanction a loan move for the 22-year-old, although Stefan Ortega and Marcus Betinelli are also among the goalkeepers' union at the Etihad Stadium.

Trafford may have started three Premier League games, but his performances against Tottenham Hotspur and Brighton and Hove Albion certainly came under the microscope through the concession of goals from rather uncharacteristic errors of late, before picking up a clean sheet in midweek against Huddersfield Town in the EFL Cup.

Of course, Trafford's reputation as a modern-day goalkeeper capable of playing out from the back is one that comes with risk, but given his overall defensive nous at this level, it is certainly one well worth taking, although his potential whereabouts could hinge on the positions of Saints and Leicester at the turn of the year, with the Foxes starting the season in much better form under Marti Cifuentes.