James Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley in the summer of 2024, according to multiple reports. He started the season as first-choice goalkeeper, playing in the opening three Premier League games, but Manchester City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day in September 2024. Donnarumma became first-choice goalkeeper, relegating Trafford to cup competitions.
Trafford has played 14 matches this season, primarily in cup competitions, and has played only 270 minutes in the Premier League this season, according to a report. Trafford helped Manchester City win the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal, keeping a clean sheet, according to multiple reports. He made his England debut during the recent international break, according to a report.
It has obviously been very up and down throughout the season because I haven't played too much and obviously I had a decision to make in the summer.
He is expected to be part of Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2025 World Cup, according to a report. Trafford is expected to start the FA Cup semi-final against Southampton, according to reports. He saved a Mohamed Salah penalty against Liverpool in the previous round of the FA Cup, according to a report.
Trafford had 29 clean sheets in 45 matches for Burnley last season, helping them win the Championship, and won the Championship Player of the Year at the PFA awards last season, according to a report. He was the hero for England in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship final, saving a last-minute penalty, according to a report. According to BBC Sport, James Trafford described his season as very up and down because he hasn't played much, and noted that his decision to return to Manchester City has not yielded the best outcome, but he has tried to stay positive and learn.
Everyone always thinks when you make decisions [for] the best possible outcome and obviously it hasn't been the best possible outcome, but I have just tried to either improve every day and just try and stay positive, try and stay happy.
He added that he has enjoyed the bigger cup games but acknowledged that if the team lost, his opportunities would be limited. Newcastle had a bid accepted for Trafford in July 2024, but he chose to return to Manchester City, according to multiple reports. Manchester City had the option to match any bid when they sold Trafford to Burnley in 2023, according to a report.
Pep Guardiola left open a potential exit for Trafford at the end of the season, calling his situation special, according to a report. " Aston Villa are interested in signing Trafford in the summer, according to reports. Aston Villa are considering selling Emi Martinez this summer, reports said.
Because throughout the year it has been such a big learning experience so the main thing I didn't want is for it to impact your general happiness and your general feeling. I have had to learn a lot throughout the year and I have just tried to work as hard as I can and try and improve and win the day.
Martinez made little secret of his wish to leave Villa last summer and attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Manchester United, according to a report. Martinez pulled out of a match against Nottingham Forest with a calf problem, the third time this season he has withdrawn in the warm-up, according to a report. Villa signed Martinez for about £16 million in 2020, and he is Villa's highest earner along with Youri Tielemans, according to a report.
Trafford would add to Villa's quota of home-grown players, according to reports. com. Chelsea are not satisfied with Robert Sánchez and are looking for a new starting goalkeeper, reports said.
Everyone enjoys the bigger games, the tougher games, but I might be speaking differently if we got beaten in them. The cup game you have to win, because if you don't win then unless I get in [for] the league - which I haven't so far - then there is no game [for me].
Liverpool may lose Alisson Becker, who is being chased by Juventus, according to reports. Tottenham and Juventus have also been linked with Trafford, reports said. It remains unclear whether Trafford will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, which club is most likely to sign him, and how much City would demand in a transfer.
It's obviously a new experience for me because it is the first time I have had this kind of moment where you come in for the cup games, but the good thing about this club and this season is we have progressed in both the cups as far as we possi