4 days ago
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James Trafford is set to start for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup tie at Swansea City.
James Trafford's goalposts moved this summer - which is not particularly what you need as a 'keeper.
The 23-year-old returned to the Etihad in a £27million move from Burnley, and had his eyes fixed on becoming Blues number one.
Upon arrival, his competition was Ederson and the general consensus was that the pair would battle it out this term before Trafford assumed first choice status for the 2026-27 campaign.
But within a matter of weeks, Ederson had moved to Fenerbahçe and Champions League winning stopper Gianluigi Donnarumma had arrived from PSG.
Trafford played the opening three Premier League matches of the season before losing his place to the newly-signed Italian. The former Burnley man's only outing since has been in the Carabao Cup. He is expected to return to the XI in that competition when City take on Swansea on Wednesday night.
But his chances of top flight minutes look remote. Trafford arrived battling with a 32-year-old entering the last year of his contract, he is now duelling with a decorated 26-year-old who can count the Champions League and European Championship among his list of honours.
It's a seismic shift for Trafford, who enjoyed a stellar season in the Championship with Burnley last term, and it's to his credit that the 'keeper has maintained a positive attitude and trained well, impressing Guardiola to the extent that the City chief sees his current second choice 'keeper as an imminent first choice for England.
“We have an incredible 'keeper. For England, sooner or later, he will be the one," said Guardiola ahead of City's trip to Swansea.
Trafford and Donnarumma work together under goalkeeper coaches Xabier Mancisidor and his assistant Richard Wright, and Guardiola believes his two stoppers take bits from each other as he praised Trafford's attitude and aptitude in the face of changing circumstances.
"We are delighted with his behaviour in training," said the City boss of Trafford.
"Gigi learns from James and James learns from Gigi. The goalkeepers are always connected, they train. They learn like I learn from the players and hopefully the players learn from the staff.
"One of the reasons I want to go through in this competition is because they all have to be ready just in case they are needed in the Premier League or Champions League."
Guardiola has spoken to Trafford about the opportunities he will get this season, with the England international having next summer's World Cup in his sights having been named in every Three Lions squad since Thomas Tuchel arrived, even if he is still awaiting a first cap.
Guardiola and Tuchel's faith in Trafford is clear. What's not is his club pathway.
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