James Trafford could depart Manchester City after being sidelined by Donnarumma
Trafford admits he did not anticipate Manchester City signing Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer following his move from Burnley, and he now faces the possibility of leaving the club this summer.
The goalkeeper returned to City on July 31 for £31m after two seasons at Turf Moor, only to learn that Pep Guardiola also wanted Donnarumma. The Italian arrived from Paris Saint-Germain for £26m on September 2 and has since become Guardiola’s first-choice keeper.
Trafford started City’s opening three Premier League matches in August but has since made eight more appearances across the FA Cup, Carabao Cup, and the Champions League, with the bulk of his action coming outside the league.
The academy product joined City aged 12 in 2015. After City’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Salford in the fourth round, he reflected on the evolving situation. “Yeah, it’s been good,” he said. “I didn’t expect the Donnarumma situation to unfold like this, but it did, so I’ve just got on with it. It’s happened, so I give my best every day and see what happens.”
Before Donnarumma’s arrival, Trafford wasn’t told he would be the No. 1 keeper. “No, it wasn’t that,” he explained. “It is what it is. It’s football—keep grafting each day, and when the games come, give them everything. This is another experience to add to my career and a good learning opportunity.”
Signed to a five-year contract with an option for an extra year, Trafford remains uncertain about his future beyond this summer. “Who knows, it’s football. I’m taking it one day at a time, working as hard as I can, and whatever happens, happens,” he said. “I’ve got a contract, but I don’t know what next season holds. I’ll focus on improving day by day.”
Trafford earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in November after Nick Pope withdrew, yet there has been no discussion about his World Cup chances in June. “Everyone knows my situation,” he noted. “I’ll keep playing as well as I can, train hard, and leave it to fate.”
