- James Trafford could depart Man City
- Goalkeeper unhappy with his lack of minutes
- City would rather keep him at the club
Manchester City could be about to lose their second choice goalkeeper, despite the fact Pep Guardiola does not want to lose him.
James Trafford has started Manchester City’s two most recent matches and his contributions have been very important.
The shot-stopper kept a clean sheet against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final and repeated this feat when Liverpool visited the Etihad Stadium in the FA Cup.
However, his first-team opportunities have been limited across the season as a whole. Indeed, Trafford has only made 14 appearances in all competitions, most of which have come in the domestic cups.
It is therefore unsurprising that Trafford has been linked with a move away from Man City, even though he only arrived from Burnley last summer.
James Trafford is set to leave Manchester City
Simon Bajkowski of Manchester Evening News believes that Trafford will part ways with the Citizens at the end of the season in search of regular starts.
Man City already refused to sell the 23-year-old in January, but have since been unable to convince him that remaining at the club is the best decision for his career.
Trafford wants to become an important player for the England national team and he cannot achieve this when he is not playing for the Sky Blues.
Therefore, the goalkeeper will pursue a move this summer, unless his boyhood club can give him a reason to decide otherwise.
The one consolation for City is that Trafford could bring in a sizeable transfer fee, which might even see the English giants make a profit on him after only one year.
Trafford deserves more starts for Man City
In the Carabao Cup final, Trafford made a superb triple save which kept Man City on level terms with Arsenal in the first half. Had he failed to make these stops, the momentum would have shifted completely.
Then against Liverpool, the talent between the sticks saved Mohamed Salah’s second half penalty. City may have already possessed a firm lead, but Trafford’s desire to keep a clean sheet was a fine display of his elite mentality.
Trafford prevented 0.74 goals in the League Cup final and made four saves in total. His performance against the Reds was statistically even better, with five saves and 1.71 goals prevented.
Gianluigi Donnarumma on the other hand has failed to keep a clean sheet in his past four appearances.
Of course, the Italian is still a top class goalkeeper. However he is not so good that Trafford should never be given a chance in the Premier League.
Man City would regret selling Trafford
Considering Trafford is at Man City now for the second time in his career, he might be reluctant to make the Etihad his home again a few years down the line.
Still, at just 23 years old, this is a player with a bright future ahead of him. Trafford has already shown himself to be talented and he has certainly not reached his ceiling yet.
If the Citizens do sell Trafford, it would be a big mistake, as he could become one of the best goalkeepers in Europe.
This should not mean sacrificing Donnarumma, but the Cockermouth-born star needs to be given a purpose in order to stick around.
There is a reason Man City signed Trafford in the first place and that has been seen in recent weeks. Now, the club must ensure this transfer was not completed in vain.
