James Trafford

[Mancini’s Pastilles]

Is Viana doing too much too soon?

Too little if anything

 

[Coatigan]

2 keepers ?

3 really. IF, Ortega also gets replaced.

I struggle to see it happening woth both Costa and Trafford coming in tbh. But let's see.

 

[johnny crossan]

Both?

Makes little sense, which means it might be true. €60m for Costa is hard to swallow for sure.

 

[skillman]

I actually think it may be both and Ortega is going as well.

Hmmm. Can’t see it ending well. None will come to play second fiddle and it’s an expensive game.

When we had Hart and Given, they were both already here and it was a case of choosing one and selling the other - not buying both then choosing.

I hope the Trafford deal isn’t one like Angelino whereby we spot an opportunity to get a higher fee later down the line.

 

[I'm With Stupid]

I think the issue is we have become used to having these top class players and forgotten that they werent those players when they came to us but developed into those players. I think the last genuine world superstar we signed was maybe haaland. All the world class superstars we have had werent that when they arrived, kdb had a very good season in germany but was apparently overpriced and overrated when he came here, same for silva, aguero had a good season with atleti and rodri wasnt who he has become when he arrived.

Not sure I agree with that. If someone is player of the season in their league, breaking records, like KDB was, then I think that's someone who's arriving to make an instant impact. And incidentally, the last player we bought like that was actually Reijnders. Silva and Aguero were two of the most highly sought after players in La Liga. Aguero in particular had scored over 20 goals 3 of the last four seasons (and the other one he scored 19) and in two of those, he'd managed 27. I wouldn't say that any of these players were a punt who developed into a world class player. Every one of them made an instant impact.

The other category is the class player that's flown under the radar a bit, and that would include players like Dias and Akanji. Then there's the category of youngsters that everyone is after, who are widely thought to be the next generation of world class players, and the last player were bought in that category was Gvardiol. Unsurprisingly, he was straight in the team and performing at a high level to the point that many people would have him as their player of the year. I'd be surprised if Cherki isn't in this category. And finally, you have the youngsters that are a bit more of a punt, and I'd include the likes of Doku and Savinho is this category. Players that are incredibly gifted in a few areas, but don't yet have the all round game, and need a lot of work. And you could argue that we've been buying a few too many of those lately, including all of our January signings other than Marmoush.

I think the issue when you're signing one of those players as a goalkeeper is that it could backfire spectacularly if he doesn't develop as you hope. If a young winger doesn't do very well, we're a bit toothless in attack and you take them out for a bit. If a young goalkeeper doesn't adapt very well, we let in goals and lose games. If an outfield player isn't ready, they can be given a role in a position with less pressure. Young attacking midfielders might start on the wing before graduating to the number 10 position later on. Young CBs can be given game time at full back. Young goalkeepers have to sink or swim. It's an absolutely massive call to say to a 22 year-old goalkeeper with 28 Premier League appearances that he's going to be first choice for a team that expects to be challenging for the title. And I'm not even saying I'm against it, just that it's a huge decision. Perhaps if he was called Traffordinho and was coming from the Portuguese league, I'd be more for it. After all, Eddie was only 23 when he first came and he was incredible from the start.

 

[Coatigan]

Too little if anything

He has signed 10 new players in 2 months after his official start.

 

[Gumzy97]

Could only see Costa coming in , If Ortega is leaving maybe Burnley do want him and he's come up in negotiations with them.

 

[DMA's]

Both?

Wouldn’t make sense from Trafford’s perspective. Why would he join to be city’s no 2 when he could go and be Newcastle no 1?

I’m sure some clarity will come in the next few days. Part of me thinks city may have pivoted and are going to go with Costa instead of Trafford

 

[richards30]

Wouldn’t make sense from Trafford’s perspective. Why would he join to be city’s no 2 when he could go and be Newcastle no 1?

I’m sure some clarity will come in the next few days. Part of me thinks city may have pivoted and are going to go with Costa instead of Trafford

He cant go to Newcastle though if Newcastle wont pay the fee? Maybe Trafford wants to stay in the Northwest or is happy to even just come back to us and fight for his place?

 

[nmc]

I hope as a City fan - James Trafford doesn’t read this thread….( he might need therapy). Personally I think it’s a bit of a gamble but I’m prepared to back the club’s judgement- I’m not sure I’m equipped to scout a keeper anyway. If Trafford starts as our number 1 then I’ll be 100 per cent behind him (not literally of course) and I’m sure he will be fine. He might make the odd mistake but so do all keepers. Ederson wasn’t anywhere near his best last season. The other alternative being banded around is Costa and no one seems particularly keen on him either.

 

[DMA's]

He cant go to Newcastle though if Newcastle wont pay the fee? Maybe Trafford wants to stay in the Northwest or is happy to even just come back to us and fight for his place?

I believe Newcastle and Burnley where 5 mil apart so you’d think it would get done eventually.

I just don’t see us spending close to £90 mil on two goalkeepers who want to be no 1. It wouldn’t make any sense.

We know viana likes to rapidly move on to other targets (just ask mgw and cherki) if he sees a market opportunity.

Im intrigued to see this play out. Perhaps we have allowed Newcastle a run at Trafford if it means we can get a deal done for livramento? Who knows! Should be an intriguing week

 

[richards30]

I believe Newcastle and Burnley where 5 mil apart so you’d think it would get done eventually.

I just don’t see us spending close to £90 mil on two goalkeepers who want to be no 1. It wouldn’t make any sense.

We know viana likes to rapidly move on to other targets (just ask mgw and cherki) if he sees a market opportunity.

Im intrigued to see this play out. Perhaps we have allowed Newcastle a run at Trafford if it means we can get a deal done for livramento? Who knows! Should be an intriguing week

I think alot is going to happen this week in and out mate.

 

[TonyColemansbagofapples]

Makes little sense, which means it might be true. €60m for Costa is hard to swallow for sure.

What did Viana negotiate for Cherki, Ait-Nouri and Reijnders? All were allegedly priced much higher than what we paid.

 

[Georgian Maestro]

I hope as a City fan - James Trafford doesn’t read this thread….( he might need therapy). Personally I think it’s a bit of a gamble but I’m prepared to back the club’s judgement- I’m not sure I’m equipped to scout a keeper anyway. If Trafford starts as our number 1 then I’ll be 100 per cent behind him (not literally of course) and I’m sure he will be fine. He might make the odd mistake but so do all keepers. Ederson wasn’t anywhere near his best last season. The other alternative being banded around is Costa and no one seems particularly keen on him either.

He's a Chelsea fan

 

[SWP's back]

Is Viana doing too much too soon?

Not even close.

 

[Semper aggressus]

I reckon Trafford would be a better signing than Costa. He’s a tall lad and good shot stopper, something we’ve lacked with Eddie mostly.

Ederson fits our style being great with his feet, but if he wants to go then having a big, goal-filling keeper would be good.

Costa would be a risk, especially for £60m, we don’t want another Bravo. I think Trafford could be the next Joe Hart. And I fucking loved big Joe, always wish we’d kept him.

Hope we sign Trafford not Costa.

 

[Coatigan]

Makes little sense, which means it might be true. €60m for Costa is hard to swallow for sure.

Agree, but don't think it has to hit that high.

But even so, struggle to see the club replacing both the keepers with two new keepers for significant fees, both looking to be no.1 and both at an age and profile that demands it.

Ortega, while good and capable, was different. He is at the tail end of his career, has never properly been in with a shout for the national team, and he was coming in from a relegated side having not competed for trophies.

 

[Banano]

He's a Chelsea fan

Weren't we all?

 

[nmc]

He's a Chelsea fan

A scurrilous accusation.

 

[blueparrot]

I reckon Trafford would be a better signing than Costa. He’s a tall lad and good shot stopper, something we’ve lacked with Eddie mostly.

Ederson fits our style being great with his feet, but if he wants to go then having a big, goal-filling keeper would be good.

Costa would be a risk, especially for £60m, we don’t want another Bravo. I think Trafford could be the next Joe Hart. And I fucking loved big Joe, always wish we’d kept him.

Hope we sign Trafford not Costa.

We will only buy Trafford if he is good enough with his feet as well. Not saying he isn't but we wouldn't be interested otherwise.