1 | James Trafford - 2025/26

I hope that this is not true, both in terms of him wanting out and in the sense of us not behaving honourably. Personally, I would prefer us to act with honour and play James Trafford as the number one than sign a great goalkeeper like Donnarumma. If we did what is being suggested, then good luck James Trafford in whatever you decide.
You would rather keep an inferior keeper as number 1 when the best in the world becomes available , because we made assurances in good faith prior to that availability? weird point of view. We should never have just let Gigi go elsewhere just because we told Trafford he would be number 1 prior to us knowing he was available.
 
I am not sure there are any obvious teams that would want him, have the means to pay it and that he would want to go to.

Ortega back in as number 2 with a years extension wouldnt be a bad solution for us.
Maybe Newcastle, they only loaned Ramsdale, right?

Also, with how horrid Vicario has been recently, maybe Spurs? Give them Savinho too for the combo
 
You would rather keep an inferior keeper as number 1 when the best in the world becomes available , because we made assurances in good faith prior to that availability? weird point of view. We should never have just let Gigi go elsewhere just because we told Trafford he would be number 1 prior to us knowing he was available.
As I said, if what is being reported is correct.
It is not weird if you value honour.
If I make a commitment to a prospective employee that they will have a certain position, and then I renege on that offer because somebody 'better' becomes available, it is poor form in my view.
 
We’re not a charity, you do what is most likely to win stuff. When the best goalkeeper in the world becomes available you sign him!

Would you have said keep Wilfrid Bony if Messi had become available and wanted to sign?

Always, always look to improve and get the best you can.
You think it is charity to keep your word? No, it is basic integrity. And I would rather have mine.
As I stated, this is IF reports are correct, and I do not know if that is the case.
 
I do remember people on here saying that Trafford was screwed over and they were shouted down that Trafford knew the situation and the club wouldn't have told him he would be number 1, etc. They were correct.

But, it's football. The opportunity came to get the worlds best keeper and it's a shame for Trafford but understandable.
 
If Trafford wants to leave, I think that tells us a bit about his mentality.
I'm guessing he has aspiriations to be the best GK in the World. Then why not stay and prove it
 
If Trafford wants to leave, I think that tells us a bit about his mentality.
I'm guessing he has aspiriations to be the best GK in the World. Then why not stay and prove it
In his defence, he is going up against 10 years of experience, a European championship, a Champions League and Italys long term number 1 at age 26.

Plus City haven't signed Gigi to be on the bench. Trafford was signed under the premise that Ederson would be leaving shortly. Then the market changed. I honestly don't blame him for wanting out.
 
If Trafford wants to leave, I think that tells us a bit about his mentality.
I'm guessing he has aspiriations to be the best GK in the World. Then why not stay and prove it

This is so dumb. No one can become the best player in the world playing 6-10 games a season.
 
I do remember people on here saying that Trafford was screwed over and they were shouted down that Trafford knew the situation and the club wouldn't have told him he would be number 1, etc. They were correct.

But, it's football. The opportunity came to get the worlds best keeper and it's a shame for Trafford but understandable.

Exactly. They did the same thing with Julian Alvarez.

Do you think he signs if he knows they're in for Erling Haaland the next year?
 
I'm a bit puzzled by this story about him being promised the number one spot when he hasn't had a single good season in the Premier League in his young career. To be the goalkeeper for one of the world's biggest clubs, you need more than just a good season in the Championship.
 
If Trafford wants to leave, I think that tells us a bit about his mentality.
I'm guessing he has aspiriations to be the best GK in the World. Then why not stay and prove it
Blame mentality ? Only few city fans have weird fetish towards players warming bench

He has personal ambitions and doesn’t want to stay on bench when he can start elsewhere?

Backing yourself as starter became bad suddenly ?
 
Well he wasn’t that good with his feet that first season at Burnley as I recall.
Not sure where all this talk of brilliant distribution has come from.
From what I can see Donnarumma is perfectly adequate in that department.
What have you been watching? Donnarumma is not perfectly adequate with his feet at all, he's really poor and that is why we've made big changes in our game to accomodate it.

He's made numerous mistakes which thankfully we've largely gotten away with so far and against anybody that presses us high, we seriously struggle to get up the pitch because we're used to having a keeper as the spare man who can play.
 
This is so dumb. No one can become the best player in the world playing 6-10 games a season.
But can you become the best player if you quit at the first sign of competition after only 4 months?
Donnaruma isn't irreplaceable (ask PSG) and not without flaws. Just feel he's not backing himself enough

At the end of the day it's his career and I've got no issue with any player wanting to move on if they so desire.
 
But can you become the best player if you quit at the first sign of competition after only 4 months?
Donnaruma isn't irreplaceable (ask PSG) and not without flaws. Just feel he's not backing himself enough

At the end of the day it's his career and I've got no issue with any player wanting to move on if they so desire.

What competition?

Someone of a similar profile coming in would be competition.

Donnarumma is a couple of years older but on among the highest wages in the team (and league) and was made undisputed #1 the moment he walked in. That's not competition. If it were a normal job it'd be contrusctive dismissal to have someone paid 5x you come in and take 90% of your hours. No amount of "backing yourself" is going to make up for that.

The club had a plan, replace Ederson with Trafford with a year crossover, and then they aborted that plan when Donnarumma came onto the market. That's fine, it happens sometimes, but Trafford has every right to feel hard done by and resume his plan for his career, which involves starting every week for a CL club. Newcastle will likely come back in for him, and everyone will pretend the last 5 months didn't happen.
 
I can’t see him leaving in Jan. He’s our Donnarumma back up, our cup keeper and played in the Champs League last week.

I don’t rate him but he’s good enough to be #2 for this season. He’ll be going to the WC anyway so he might as well put his face straight and learn from the best before he moves to Spurs or Newcastle
 
Massive shame but The Don is better. And has 10+ years ahead of him too.

Just bad timing for JT but he’ll be England’s number 1 in a few years and I suspect Newcastle will come back calling for him in the next few windows given the inconsistency of Pope.
 

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