Chelsea’s long-running search for stability between the posts could take another twist in January, with former Fulham and Australia goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer suggesting that James Trafford’s situation at Manchester City may be an opportunity for the Blues.
With the second half of the season approaching and a major international tournament on the horizon, Schwarzer believes the young goalkeeper’s priorities are clear: he needs regular football, and quickly.
Trafford’s situation at Manchester City has become increasingly uncertain. Signed with high expectations, the England international has found opportunities hard to come by, blocked by competition and changes in City’s squad planning.
Schwarzer, now a respected pundit, feels that combination makes a winter exit not just possible but likely. For Chelsea, still searching for a long-term solution in goal, it presents a scenario that could be mutually beneficial.
A goalkeeper searching for minutes
Chelsea’s goalkeeping department has been under constant scrutiny this season. Robert Sanchez has had spells as the first-choice option, but inconsistency has left the door open for debate about whether the club need to act again in the transfer market.
Schwarzer believes Trafford could fit into that conversation, particularly if Chelsea are willing to offer him a clear pathway to being the number one.
Speaking to Joe Fortune, Schwarzer made it clear that the coming months are crucial for Trafford’s development and career trajectory.
He argued that sitting on the bench, no matter how strong the training environment, is no longer enough for a goalkeeper approaching a defining stage of his career. As Schwarzer put it (via Metro):
“James Trafford for Chelsea? You can’t write anything off. I think the thing for Trafford is, I think I’ve met him once or twice, but I think if I were going to give him advice between now and the end of the season with a World Cup around the corner, wherever he goes, he has to make sure he’s playing.”
For goalkeepers, match sharpness is not negotiable. Unlike outfield players, opportunities to rotate are limited, and mistakes are magnified.
Schwarzer stressed that Trafford’s next move must be about guarantees rather than promises, even if that means a temporary switch away from the Etihad Stadium.
He went on to underline the importance of status and trust from a manager, something Trafford has not been able to fully secure at City so far:
“He’s got to go to a club where they are signing him as the number one. And of course, he’s got to perform. I think he needs to find a club, even if it’s on loan, between now and the end of the season where he’s going to play week in, week out and prove what a good goalkeeper he is.”
From Chelsea’s perspective, that clarity could be appealing. A loan deal, in particular, would allow the club to assess Trafford in a high-pressure environment without committing immediately to a permanent transfer.
It would also align with Chelsea’s recent approach of blending youth with experience while keeping long-term options open.
Trafford’s situation at Manchester City is becoming an unavoidable frustration. City moved decisively in the summer transfer window, beating Newcastle United to his signature, only to alter their plans before the window closed.
The arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma reshaped the goalkeeping hierarchy, leaving Trafford further down the pecking order than initially expected. For a player with ambitions of representing his country at the highest level, that scenario is far from ideal.
January interest and growing competition
Chelsea are not the only club monitoring Trafford’s situation. According to Football Insider, Newcastle United remain interested despite missing out on him in the summer. Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur have also been linked, highlighting how highly regarded Trafford remains within Premier League circles.
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For Newcastle, the appeal is obvious. They see Trafford as a long-term investment, someone who could develop into a first-choice goalkeeper while growing alongside a squad pushing for European qualification.
Villa’s interest reflects their own ambitions, as Unai Emery looks to build depth and competition across his squad. Tottenham, too, are reportedly assessing their options, with an eye on both immediate cover and future planning.
That level of interest strengthens Manchester City’s position, whether they decide to sanction a loan or consider a permanent sale. City are under no pressure to offload Trafford cheaply, but they are also aware that blocking a young player’s pathway can be counterproductive.
A carefully chosen loan, particularly to a club competing at the top end of the Premier League, could serve everyone’s interests and put an end to any uncertainty surrounding Trafford’s situation at Manchester City.