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Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has been left on the bench for most games since Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived.
Pep Guardiola wants James Trafford to stay at Manchester City for the rest of the season - even if the club are willing to let him leave in January on the right terms. Trafford will start against Brentford in the Carabao Cup quarter-final on Wednesday but his dream summer move back to the Blues quickly became a nightmare.
Having picked City over Newcastle with the dream of quickly displacing Ederson at the Etihad and becoming No.1 for club and country, Trafford started the first three Premier League games of the season but then saw Gianluigi Donnarumma arrive from Paris Saint-Germain on the last day of the transfer window and instantly take his spot. Since then, Trafford has started just three matches and none of those have been in the league.
The 23-year-old was left out of Thomas Tuchel's latest England squad and has work to do if he wants to be on the plane for the World Cup next summer. With his position at City not likely to change with Donnarumma seen by the Blues as their keeper for the next decade, Trafford is open to a move in January as he looks for a way back to regular football.
City intend to keep Trafford but will sanction an exit in the right circumstances, as they do for every player who wants to leave. However, if Guardiola had his way he will keep his No.2 for the whole season as reliable back-up for Donnarumma and is planning to play him against Brentford as one of a number of changes from the Palace side to give some rest to key players.
"He's an incredible keeper. Unfortunately, Gigio is the first keeper but he is incredible," said Guardiola. "During the year, you can change but the keeper is special. But he will be with us this season and after we will see what happens.
"I don't have any news about [a January transfer]. You have Hugo's telephone number, you can call him and ask him but from my point of view he stays here."
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