Trafford’s Journey: From Championship Hero to Premier League Challenge

Trafford has emerged as one of England’s most promising talents after playing a pivotal role in Burnley’s successful promotion from the Championship in the 2024-25 season.

The Cumbrian goalkeeper featured in all but one league match, contributing to Burnley’s impressive tally of 30 clean sheets—a joint all-time English league record alongside Port Vale from the 1953-54 season. Under the management of Scott Parker, the Clarets conceded only 16 goals throughout the 46-game league campaign, securing 100 points and finishing second in the league, just behind Leeds United, who claimed the top spot due to a superior goal difference. Daniel Farke’s Leeds side scored a remarkable 95 league goals, while Burnley netted 69.

Following his remarkable performances, Trafford was on the verge of joining Newcastle United during the summer transfer window, as Eddie Howe sought to bolster his goalkeeping options after last season’s Carabao Cup triumph. However, Manchester City exercised a matching rights clause to secure Trafford’s signature, having developed the former England Under-21 shot-stopper before selling him to Burnley in 2023.

After starting in City’s first three Premier League fixtures against Wolves, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton & Hove Albion, Trafford found himself replaced in the starting lineup by Gianluigi Donnarumma. The Italian international had joined City from European champions Paris Saint-Germain after losing his starting spot to Lucas Chevalier, a recent acquisition from Ligue 1 side Lille.

Donnarumma has since made 14 appearances for City across all competitions, while Trafford has primarily been utilized in cup matches, including starts in the Carabao Cup victories over Huddersfield Town and Swansea City.

Trafford’s last appearance came during City’s 2-0 defeat against Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League, where manager Pep Guardiola made ten changes to the starting lineup.

According to a report from the Daily Mail, Trafford is considering a departure when the January transfer window opens next month, with Newcastle expected to express interest in negotiating a deal with City. This potential move comes as City may also part ways with fellow goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, who has seen his standing diminish following the influx of new talent in the goalkeeping department.

Once a dependable second choice, the 32-year-old Ortega now finds himself further down the pecking order due to the arrivals of Trafford, Donnarumma, and Marcus Bettinelli, who joined from Chelsea.

Moreover, Trafford is reportedly concerned about maintaining his spot in the England squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with manager Thomas Tuchel emphasizing the necessity of consistent play to secure a place on the roster for the tournament in North America next summer.

Donnarumma is anticipated to start again when City faces Fulham in the league on Tuesday. The 26-year-old has made headlines following accusations from Leeds boss Daniel Farke that he feigned injury to manipulate the game’s flow. After Leeds leveled the score from a two-goal deficit, Donnarumma went down for treatment, allowing Guardiola to regroup his players. City ultimately won the match 3-2 with a stoppage-time goal from Phil Foden.

Farke commented, “Everyone knows why he [Donnarumma] went down. It’s not the elephant in the room. If it’s within the rules, it’s smart. Personally, I don’t appreciate such tactics, but if it’s allowed, I can’t complain.”