James Trafford’s Man City return already under scrutiny as Gianluigi Donnarumma arrival clouds future | OneFootball

When James Trafford rejoined Manchester City this summer, the narrative was one of a homecoming. The 22-year-old academy graduate, who had excelled at Burnley by helping them return to the Premier League, was seen as the long-term successor to Ederson.

For a brief moment, it seemed the transition would be seamless. Trafford started City’s opening three league fixtures, even keeping a clean sheet on debut at Wolves. Yet the deadline-day arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain has shifted the landscape dramatically. Instead of being entrusted with the gloves, Trafford finds himself learning from the Italian, who at 26 has already amassed 76 caps and a European Championship winner’s medal.

Former City keeper Shay Given, in comments reported by BBC Sport, said that in Trafford’s position, “I’d be raging.” “Pep will have given him the sales pitch, but two weeks later, Donnarumma arrives and he’s parked up for the season.”

Trafford will get chances

Trafford had an alternative in Newcastle, where he would have competed with Nick Pope for the No.1 role. Instead, loyalty to City, the club he calls home, swayed him. Guardiola insists the youngster will still feature, particularly in the Carabao Cup, confirming Trafford will start against Huddersfield on Wednesday.

The stakes extend beyond Manchester. With England’s World Cup qualifiers on the horizon, Trafford must prove his credentials to Thomas Tuchel while battling limited opportunities at club level. Donnarumma’s presence, combined with Pope and Jordan Pickford’s form, narrows the path.

GFN | Finn Entwistle