James Trafford’s Future: Manchester City’s Number Two Goalkeeper Reveals Honest Truth About His Future At The Club

James Trafford’s path at Manchester City has taken an unexpected detour. The 23-year-old academy graduate returned to the Etihad last summer believing he would inherit Pep Guardiola’s No. 1 shirt after Ederson’s departure to Fenerbahçe. Trafford started the first three Premier League fixtures and looked poised for a breakthrough season, only for the club to pivot on deadline day by securing Italy’s Euro 2020 hero Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain.

Since Donnarumma’s arrival, Trafford has been relegated to cup duty: five EFL Cup appearances, two in the FA Cup and a single Champions League outing. The highlight came in a 2-0 FA Cup win over Salford City, where Trafford kept a clean sheet and underlined the potential that convinced City to hand him a five-year contract barely eight months ago.

Speaking publicly for the first time since the Italian’s arrival, Trafford offered a candid assessment of his situation. “I’ve got a contract, so I don’t know what happens next season. I’m just taking it one day at a time and focusing on getting better,” he told reporter Sam Lee, a quote subsequently circulated by transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. “It is what it is, it’s football. You’ve got to keep working every day and when the games come, give it your all. This is another experience to learn from and grow as a player.”

Guardiola has twice addressed Trafford’s short-term status. In December the Catalan labelled the youngster “incredible” and ruled out a January exit; by late January he admitted uncertainty over whether Trafford would still be on the club’s books come the summer. That ambiguity has alerted a clutch of Premier League suitors. Aston Villa are monitoring developments as they contemplate life after Emiliano Martínez, while Newcastle United—who explored a deal last summer—are expected to renew their interest.

For Trafford, the equation is simple: regular minutes at 23 are non-negotiable if he is to fulfil the promise shown in City’s academy. Whether those minutes arrive at the Etihad or elsewhere will shape the next chapter of a career that, 12 months ago, seemed destined to revolve around guarding City’s goal.