The opportunity to learn is there for James Trafford but he may have to learn quickly | OneFootball

Unfortunately for James Trafford, his home debut as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper didn’t go to plan. His team suffered a 2-nil defeat, and a poor pass from Trafford directly led to Tottenham’s second goal at the Etihad. Coming out of the game, the opportunity for Trafford to learn and bounce back from his poor performance on Saturday is there. But he may have to learn those lessons quickly, as the spectre of Gianluigi Donnarumma signing for Manchester City from PSG looms.

James Trafford will have to learn from his performance against Tottenham.

Outside of his misplaced pass against Tottenham, James Trafford put in a nervous performance at the Etihad. He wasn’t good with his feet, although his experienced teammates sometimes didn’t help him in this regard. Watching the game, you did get the sense that Trafford’s teammates didn’t trust him in possession. The young goalkeeper also appeared rattled after his error that led to Tottenham’s second goal. There were also two other nervous moments when Trafford came out of his area in the first and second halves, which stood out. Trafford’s performance against Tottenham resembled that of a young goalkeeper. Which is precisely what James Trafford is.

Trafford’s performance against Thomas Frank’s side is an opportunity for the young goalkeeper to learn. There is no doubt that Trafford has the mental strength to overcome his display on Saturday. He needs to take the lessons from the game and grow. There is no doubt that he will. The issue is that a new goalkeeper may be set to sign for Manchester City, which changes the situation entirely.

It is expected that Gianluigi Donnarumma will sign for Manchester City before the transfer window closes.

Fabrizio Romano has previously reported that Gianluigi Donnarumma has agreed on personal terms with Manchester City. Romano adds that Donnarumma’s potential move to City depends on Ederson’s potential move to Galatasaray. Following that report, Fabrice Hawkins reports that PSG are willing to accept €30 million to sell Donnarumma. Furthermore, Hawkins reports that Donnarumma wants a move to Manchester City. Lastly, Hawkins reports that City are in talks with Galatasaray to secure a deal that will send Ederson to Turkey.

Currently, Gianluigi Donnarumma will likely sign for Manchester City. Considering that fact, James Trafford must learn quickly from his performance against Tottenham. Competition for the number-one goalkeeper position appears to be on its way. It has to be said that Gianluigi Donnarumma won’t fix the issues that Trafford had playing with his feet. But what the Italian international is is one of the premier goalkeepers in world football. So Trafford will have to bounce back quickly from his game on Saturday. Otherwise, Donnarumma is likely to become City’s number-one goalkeeper if and when he arrives at the club.

There is another reality to consider. Ederson may stay at Manchester City and take his place as City’s number-one keeper, and Trafford learns from the Brazilian international. But that seems unlikely at this stage. Either way, James Trafford must learn and grow from his rough display at the Etihad. As the challenges are coming to take the mantle as Manchester City’s first-choice goalkeeper.