Chelsea Have Set Their Sights On This Manchester City Star: Good Option For The Blues? | OneFootball

In a recent report on Substack, journalist Simon Phillips revealed that Chelsea have set their sights on Manchester City keeper James Trafford. It has been stated that the Blues are keeping tabs on the situation of the English goalie ahead of a potential move for him this summer.

Trafford’s Impressive Form In English Football

Trafford has served as a useful squad player for Man City this season, but has often found himself behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in Pep Guardiola’s pecking order. The 23-year-old has made 14 appearances for the Mancunian giants in this campaign so far, conceding ten goals and keeping seven clean sheets in the process across all fronts.

The English talent has to find a way to secure more first-team starts if he wants to improve as a footballer. Still, Chelsea would do well to lure him to Stamford Bridge this off-season.

His current contract at the Etihad Stadium will run out in the summer of 2030, which could make it difficult for the Blues to sign him on a cut-price deal in the upcoming transfer window.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 22: James Trafford of Manchester City looks on prior to the Carabao Cup Final match between Arsenal and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on March 22, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Will Trafford Be A Good Option For Chelsea?

Trafford can be a safe pair of hands in goal when he is playing with confidence on the field. He is a solid handler of the ball and can use his quick reflexes to make a few important saves at the back for his team.

Standing at 1.92m, the English sensation is a commanding presence inside his penalty area. He is already quite familiar with the Premier League and won’t take much time to adjust to life at the West London club.

We can expect Trafford to enhance the quality of Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior’s backline. He is more than capable of earning a regular starting spot at Stamford Bridge in the coming seasons.

At 23, Trafford has his peak years ahead of him, which makes him a decent option for the West London giants to pursue at the end of this campaign. He might even help the Blues get back to challenging for a top-four spot in the Premier League. Thus, Rosenior would be wise to go all out to secure the services of the English custodian later this year.