Man City's £27million summer signing is about to face a familiar problem

James Trafford is the forgotten man of Manchester City's summer transfer business as the Etihad falls in love with Gianluigi Donnarumma.

It hasn't taken long for the Etihad to fall for the charms of a giant Italian, and Gianluigi Donnarumma can now hold the Manchester City faithful in the palm of his enormous gloves.

Any doubts or scepticism about the £26million summer signing from Paris Saint-Germain have been washed away, not only by a string of excellent performances but also by the enthusiasm with which Donnarumma has embraced a new project.

From his on-pitch leadership and relationships with Ruben Dias and Erling Haaland, to the way he has spoken so warmly about the club and Pep Guardiola, the 26-year-old has quickly made himself at home.

He was at it again on international duty with Italy this week. Having signed a five-year contract less than a month ago, he was already talking about staying in Manchester "as long as possible".

Music to the ears of City fans, although perhaps not James Trafford, the goalkeeper marginally taller and marginally more expensive than Donnarumma, but whose days already appear to be numbered.

The 23-year-old was also on international duty this week, but his chances of getting on the pitch for England were always non-existent. Jordan Pickford is a rock-solid No.1 for the Three Lions, but Trafford can't even challenge him if he is restricted to the odd cup outing for his club.

Trafford was England's No.22, with Dean Henderson getting the No.13. With the World Cup now coming into view, it is clear the City academy graduate is in the danger zone for a goalkeeper. As the third choice, he will face pressure, especially if his game time is limited before next summer.

Trafford played once between the September and October international breaks, in the Carabao Cup win at Huddersfield, and he can probably expect a similar return between October and November as well.

That outing is likely to come against Swansea, once again in the Carabao Cup. It will be another night when City are likely to enjoy near total domination of the ball, giving a goalkeeper desperate for the chance to impress very little to do.

When he returned to City from Burnley at the end of July, Trafford expected to challenge Ederson and eventually make that No.1 shirt his own. Since then, the equation has changed, and he must be aware that displacing Donnarumma is an almost impossible task for any goalkeeper.

Trafford will try and take every chance he can to catch the eye. Not just that of Guardiola, but of Tuchel too, and of any potential suitors next summer. But if he barely gets a kick against Swansea, that might be this month's chance come and gone.

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