James Trafford Contemplates Manchester City Exit Following Donnarumma's Arrival
Manchester City's deputy goalkeeper James Trafford has openly discussed the possibility of departing the club this summer, after finding himself unexpectedly displaced by the high-profile signing of Italian international Gianluigi Donnarumma. The young English shot-stopper returned to City from Burnley on July 31st in a substantial £31 million transfer, only to discover weeks later that manager Pep Guardiola had orchestrated an additional £26 million move for Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on September 2nd.
An Unexpected Turn of Events
Trafford, who joined Manchester City's academy at just twelve years old back in 2015, started all three of City's opening Premier League fixtures in August. However, since Donnarumma's arrival, his appearances have been exclusively limited to cup competitions—the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and Champions League—totaling eight matches outside the league. Following City's 2-0 FA Cup fourth-round victory over Salford, where Trafford made a spectacular flying save, he reflected candidly on his situation.
"Yeah, it's been good," Trafford stated regarding his return to Manchester. "I didn't expect the situation with Donnarumma to happen but it happened, so just get on with it. So it's happened so I work very hard every day and see what happens, give it my best shot." He emphasized that before Donnarumma's signing, there was no assurance he would be the number one goalkeeper, adding, "No, it wasn't that. So it is what it is. It's football, you've got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can."
Contract Uncertainty and Future Prospects
Despite signing a five-year contract with an optional additional year, Trafford expressed uncertainty about his long-term future at the Etihad Stadium. "Who knows, it's football. Let's take it a day at a time and try and work as hard as I can and whatever happens, happens," he remarked. "I've obviously got a contract, so don't know what happens next season. I just know that I'll just take it a day at a time and try and improve."
On the international front, Trafford earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel's England squad in November following Nick Pope's withdrawal, yet he has not discussed his World Cup prospects with the manager. "No, obviously everyone knows what's going on with me," he explained. "So I've just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can. I haven't spoken to them about if that's enough, but I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it's just down to me."
This period has served as a significant learning experience for Trafford, who views it as another chapter in his developing career. As the summer transfer window approaches, his future at Manchester City remains shrouded in doubt, with his dedication and daily effort being the only constants in an unpredictable football landscape.
