James Trafford exit from Man City is ‘inevitable’, January chances outlined
James Trafford has not had an ideal return to his boyhood club Man City and could soon be on his way out after new developments.
Trafford was part of the Burnley backline who broke all kinds of Championship records last season on their way to promotion.
His impressive showings saw a number of teams register an interest in his services, but it was Man City who signed Trafford in July ahead of the new campaign after he had left them in 2023.
Pep Guardiola chose to start him in Man City‘s first three league games of the season, but the arrival of fellow stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma has pushed him down the pecking order to second-choice already.
The 23-year-old has not featured in a league games since 31 August, and has high hopes for the future that may not be fulfilled while sitting on the bench at the Etihad Stadium.
Trafford likely to leave Man City soon but not in January
Donnarumma has been made Man City’s first-choice keeper following his arrival from PSG, with Trafford being snubbed by Thomas Tuchel for the latest England squad before he was called up due to Nick Pope’s injury.
His future is already up in the air just months after joining, and the Manchester Evening News have said that a departure from the Etihad already looks “inevitable” for Trafford, with his ambitions unable to be matched by the club right now.
They also state that Trafford had not expected to be resigned to sitting on the bench when he made a return to his former club, and if he wants to make England’s World Cup squad, he may even have to push for a move in January.
City are “unlikely” to allow his exit so soon in the new year, but the chances are believed to be somewhat heightened by the presence of both Stefan Ortega and Marcus Bettinelli at the club.
What Pep Guardiola has said about Trafford’s predicament
City were likely not expecting to sign both Trafford and Donnarumma in the summer window, but the opportunity to seal a deal for the latter would have been too good to turn down.
Donnarumma has been great for Man City so far this season, hence Trafford’s lack of game-time, but Guardiola has put a positive spin on the 23-year-old’s current predicament.
Last month ahead of a rare appearance for Trafford in the Carabao Cup he said: “The keeper is a special situation because the keeper plays, normally one, and the second one doesn’t. All I can say is we are delighted with his (Trafford) behaviour in training.
“One of the reasons why we want to go through in this competition (Carabao Cup) is because they all have to be ready in case we need in the Premier League and the Champions League.
“We have an incredible keeper. For England, sooner or later, he will be the one. I am pretty sure Gigi learns from James and James learns from Gigi. The goalkeepers are always connected.”
Despite those kind words, what happens on the pitch will determine Trafford’s future with the Citizens, and an exit looks very likely considering Donnarumma’s brilliance.