Gianluigi Donnarumma has started most of Manchester City’s matches this season, but Pep Guardiola has made a decision he may not like for this Sunday’s clash against Arsenal.
James Trafford has not been a regular starter for Manchester City this season. In fact, he has only made 12 appearances for the club in total.
This has caused rumours to circulate, with some reports suggesting Trafford could leave Man City during the summer transfer window.
However, the goalkeeper has enjoyed five starts in the Carabao Cup and he even won the player of the month award for February, after his semi-final displays against Newcastle.
Better still, Trafford has been named in the latest England squad, meaning he could have the chance to play in his national team’s friendly fixtures at the end of this month.
James Trafford will start the Carabao Cup final
As if receiving another England call-up was not enough, Trafford has now learnt that he will be starting this weekend in the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.
The shot-stopper was the hero in a penalty shootout at the UEFA under-21s tournament back in 2023, wehn England defeated Spain in the final. Also, he kept a clean sheet against Plymouth in the EFL Trophy final just months before.
This shows he has experience delivering in the biggest games, but this weekend will be his biggest test yet, with Pep Guardiola putting a lot of trust in the Englishman.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Guardiola said: “For the team, it’s a big moment.”
Trafford has done well in the League Cup this season
During the current campaign, Trafford has kept three clean sheets for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup.
The shot-stopper has only conceded a maximum of one goal each game in the competition, which shows that he is up to the task.
Still, Arsenal are the best team Man City have come up against and Trafford will need to get everything spot on if he is to help his side to victory.
