Tarik Muharemovic hails James Trafford as his England number one after Leeds United start | OneFootball

Tarik Muharemovic says he is delighted to share a dressing room with James Trafford and already regards him as England’s number one after the goalkeeper’s bright start at Leeds United.

According to Leeds Live, the defender was speaking after Leeds’ 0-0 draw with Crystal Palace last Sunday, which brought Trafford a second Premier League clean sheet of the season. The 23-year-old then made his first competitive England start in Saturday’s 3-2 Nations League defeat to Spain, picked ahead of Jordan Pickford for the first two matches of a four-fixture break.

Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel said Trafford deserved two games and had begun the Premier League campaign well as Leeds’ number one. He stressed Pickford had done nothing wrong, but the competition would be used to gauge where Trafford stands over these two weeks.

Despite conceding three well-taken goals, Trafford is set to face Czechia on Tuesday and collect a fourth senior cap. Tuchel added that a double-header would help him learn the team’s organisation quickly and integrate into both defensive and offensive build-up.

At club level, Daniel Farke has highlighted how the keeper gives defenders confidence and plants doubt in opposition strikers. Muharemovic, also a summer arrival, called Trafford an outstanding goalkeeper.

He said it is vital to have someone like Trafford behind them, that he is doing his job very well, and he hopes the form continues so he takes the national jersey.

In pre-season, Jaka Bijol also praised the signing, saying the club-record £40 million deal showed the club’s ambition.

Source: Leeds Live

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