“It hasn’t been easy at all” – James Trafford thanks Pep Guardiola after Carabao Cup Final heroics against Arsenal | OneFootball

Manchester City’s back-up choice goalkeeper James Trafford has thanked Pep Guardiola for putting faith into him throughout the Carabao Cup success this season.

City won their first piece of silverware in two seasons at Wembley on Sunday evening as a four minute brace from Nico O’Reilly in the second-half gave Guardiola and co an invaluable psychological boost for the Premier League and FA Cup run-ins.

The Blues endured a difficult first half or so of March as they lost significant ground in the title race against league leaders Arsenal courtesy of damaging, back-to-back draws against Nottingham Forest and West Ham that has seen the Gunners establish a nine point lead at the top.

Furthermore, Real Madrid eliminated Manchester City from the UEFA Champions League for the third season running over two legs with a 5-1 aggregate score.

Trafford: It means a lot to have Pep’s faith

However, City have turned a corner with a monumental title win over their bitter Premier League rivals and have gained momentum at the perfect time – as they embark upon the international break – before returning to action against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final in early April.

Crucial to Sunday’s success at Wembley for City was James Trafford, whose role under Guardiola this term has been restricted to cup competitions since the eleventh hour arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain last summer.

“It means a lot to have Pep’s faith,” Trafford said after winning his first senior trophy with Manchester City. “It’s a testament to myself I believe, through how I’ve acted in training and how I’ve acted in cup games.

“Every time I play, I give it my best shot and try to win. It hasn’t been easy at all (not playing regularly this season) – really, really tough at times – but I have an incredible set of people around me, the coaches.”

Carabao Cup crown means a lot to me, says Trafford

The 23-year-old made a series of crucial saves in the first-half to keep Arsenal at bay on Sunday evening as Manchester City entered the interval with all to play for in a second-half as both sides canceled each other out in the opening 45 minutes.

“Obviously, big saves in the moment because it was early on,” Trafford added. “I can’t quite remember them because it was quite quick. I’m just here to play my part. And then Nico (O’Reilly) scored two, brilliant from him.

“This moment means a lot to me, to obviously win. Four or five years ago (2021), I was third or fourth choice when they beat Spurs (in the Carabao Cup final). I always imagined I’d win it one day.

“This is an incredibly good feeling. All my family and friends are here. It’s a long way from north-west Cumbria so we had to win! All in about 25 people came, my younger coaches from my academy days are here too.

“It’s an amazing, amazing feeling. The people who are here have been with me throughout it all. It’s incredible. My mum and dad are home looking after my nephew.”

Trafford has made a strong case to retain his place – as would have been expected – when Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup quarter-final on April 4 – when Guardiola will serve the second and final game of his two-match domestic touchline ban.