James Trafford’s return to Manchester City was meant to be the next big step in his promising career — but the young goalkeeper has found himself in the middle of an unexpected battle.
After an impressive spell at Burnley, the 23-year-old came back to the Etihad this summer in a £27 million move, ready to challenge Ederson for the No. 1 spot. Instead, a dramatic twist has changed the entire landscape of his career plan.
James Trafford’s return to Manchester City came with expectations, many expected a gradual transition. The idea was simple: spend one season rotating with Ederson, then take over as first choice by the 2026–27 campaign.
But within weeks of his return, everything shifted. Ederson departed for Turkish side Fenerbahçe, and City brought in one of the most decorated goalkeepers in the world — Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.
That sudden change left Trafford facing a far greater challenge than he could have imagined. He started City’s first three Premier League matches of the season but soon made way for Donnarumma, who has quickly become Pep Guardiola’s preferred choice.
Since then, Trafford’s only appearance has come in the Carabao Cup, though he’s expected to start again when City face Swansea in the same competition on Wednesday.
The young Englishman’s path to regular top-flight minutes now looks more complicated. Instead of sharing duties with a 32-year-old nearing the end of his contract, Trafford is now competing with a 26-year-old Italian who has already won both the Champions League and the European Championship.
Yet, despite the sudden shift, Trafford has continued to earn praise behind the scenes.
Guardiola, known for his high expectations, has been particularly impressed with the goalkeeper’s professionalism and mindset during this period of transition.
The City boss believes Trafford’s potential is so high that he could soon be England’s first-choice shot-stopper.
“We have an incredible ‘keeper. For England, sooner or later, he will be the one,” said Guardiola ahead of City’s trip to Swansea according to Manchester Evening News
Such a statement carries significant weight, especially coming from a manager with Guardiola’s reputation for developing world-class talent.
It also highlights the trust City’s coaching staff continue to place in Trafford, even as he serves as Donnarumma’s understudy.
Under the guidance of goalkeeper coach Xabier Mancisidor and assistant Richard Wright, Trafford and Donnarumma have formed a strong working relationship.
Guardiola believes their dynamic is mutually beneficial, with both players learning from one another during training sessions.
“We are delighted with his behaviour in training,” Guardiola said. “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.”
The City manager added that the club’s ambitions in the Carabao Cup are partly driven by a desire to keep all players sharp and ready for potential opportunities in bigger competitions.
“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 explained.
James Trafford’s future remains unclear amid the transfer speculations
James Trafford’s return to Manchester City and current situation reflects the unpredictability of life as a young goalkeeper at a top club. At Burnley last season, he was a standout performer, earning praise for his shot-stopping, composure, and leadership.
Now, at City, he’s learning to adapt to an environment where elite competition is constant and opportunities can be scarce.
Despite limited playing time, Trafford’s focus has remained sharp. His performances in training and his positive attitude have ensured he remains in the England conversation.
He’s been included in every Three Lions squad since Thomas Tuchel took charge, even though he’s still waiting for his first senior cap. That continued national team recognition, combined with Guardiola’s public endorsement, suggests Trafford’s potential is still highly regarded at the top level.
Guardiola has reportedly spoken with Trafford about the opportunities that will come his way over the course of the season.
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The Catalan manager values depth and rotation, particularly across multiple competitions, meaning Trafford’s time on the pitch could increase as the campaign progresses.
Moreover, with next summer’s World Cup looming, the young keeper knows that maintaining consistency and readiness could put him in contention for a spot on England’s roster.
Despite the squad depth that James Trafford’s return to Manchester City brings, questions remain about his long-term role at the Etihad. Donnarumma’s arrival means that Trafford’s path to becoming City’s No. 1 is less straightforward than once imagined.
As a result of this, he has been linked with a move away from Etihad Stadium. Report suggests that he might consider leaving Manchester City on loan in January as this could give him the opportunity to get more playing time.
