1 | James Trafford - 2025/26

[Coljj]

I wonder if he will stay for the full season. I guess whether we are still in the FA & Carabao after Jan/Feb will be a factor. We could also give him one or two CL group games if we are well positioned to do so.

 

[Gorbachev]

He should look to leave ....Stefan Ortega was also world class when he joined

Ortega world class when he joined?

He had a decent last season for Bielefeld, albeit got relegated, and deserved to stay in the top flight, but he was never world class.

I think Trafford will look to leave come next summer however. A strange move considering we were replacing arguably our greatest ever goalkeeper with someone who has only ever shone in the Championship.

I don't think we had any inclination Donnarumma was available at the time though, and as it's panned out Gigi looks to be one of the best pieces of business we have done in the last 4 or 5 year. Got a World XI goalkeeper for £30m.

I wish Trafford the best, but I genuinely believe we would be nowhere near where we are had we stuck with him. Gigi has been as big of a player for us as Haaland this season and for the first time since the 4 in a row season, our defence looks confident because of his presence.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

I wonder if he will stay for the full season. I guess whether we are still in the FA & Carabao after Jan/Feb will be a factor. We could also give him one or two CL group games if we are well positioned to do so.

Personally I think he needs to leave. He’s too good to be sat on the bench every week.

He’s also already done all the training and loan moves previously as well.

 

[skillman]

Ortega world class when he joined?

He had a decent last season for Bielefeld, albeit got relegated, and deserved to stay in the top flight, but he was never world class.

I think Trafford will look to leave come next summer however. A strange move considering we were replacing arguably our greatest ever goalkeeper with someone who has only ever shone in the Championship.

I don't think we had any inclination Donnarumma was available at the time though, and as it's panned out Gigi looks to be one of the best pieces of business we have done in the last 4 or 5 year. Got a World XI goalkeeper for £30m.

I wish Trafford the best, but I genuinely believe we would be nowhere near where we are had we stuck with him. Gigi has been as big of a player for us as Haaland this season and for the first time since the 4 in a row season, our defence looks confident because of his presence.

Agreed. And it's not just because The Don has made world class saves (because he has) - it's more his presence.

I remember the Brighton game. Trafford made a world class save - won save of the month! - but the team still looked shaky. He was the last line of a shit, out of sorts, down-on-confidence defence and it showed. Reminded me of Hart being our best player in certain seasons.

The Don has come in and he has elevated the whole defensive game purely because of his presence in the side and the confidence that must inspire.

 

[lightning Rodri]

I wonder if he will stay for the full season. I guess whether we are still in the FA & Carabao after Jan/Feb will be a factor. We could also give him one or two CL group games if we are well positioned to do so.

He stays this season and asks for a transfer away next summer I think. He is way too good to be not playing regularly at his age

 

[johnny crossan]

Really feel for Traff, two inferior keepers in Henderson and Pope called up and he misses out simply because he's not getting any game time. Needs a loan to a PL club in January - we've done him no favours.

 

[johnny crossan]

Nobody asked about Traff yet, SKY coverage finished with a third Bellboy question - sickening really.

 

[lightning Rodri]

He stays this season and asks for a transfer away next summer I think. He is way too good to be not playing regularly at his age

It may not last till summer at this rate.

 

[ninjamonkey]

No real surprise, there's 3 keepers playing regularly. Can't have somebody ahead of them who is only getting carabao cup games regardless of how much better they may be.

He wont get a loan move in January. No way we sanction that and leave ourselves short, he'll be off next summer and we'll have to find a new number 2 and a way of compensating for the loss of a club trained player within the squad.

I doubt he'd even push for a temporary move in January tbh, even if he is playing every week he won't be number 1 at the world cup as long as Pickford is fit.

 

[johnny crossan]

Looks like Pope is injured - Traff should get a call up if he pulls out of the England squad, a far better keeper and shouldn't have been dropped anyway .

 

[dragonman98]

No real surprise, there's 3 keepers playing regularly. Can't have somebody ahead of them who is only getting carabao cup games regardless of how much better they may be.

He wont get a loan move in January. No way we sanction that and leave ourselves short, he'll be off next summer and we'll have to find a new number 2 and a way of compensating for the loss of a club trained player within the squad.

I doubt he'd even push for a temporary move in January tbh, even if he is playing every week he won't be number 1 at the world cup as long as Pickford is fit.

Ortega chilling somewhere, since everybody forgets about him.

 

[richards30]

Ty Marshall from the M.E.N saying James could leave in January?

 

[decmancity]

Ty Marshall from the M.E.N saying James could leave in January?

Wouldn’t be surprised. A shame but we couldn’t have known Donnarumma was going to get done I guess.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Ty Marshall from the M.E.N saying James could leave in January?

It wouldn’t be a shock. He’s too good to be sat on the bench every week. He probably does regret moving here now.

 

[mancboy]

It wouldn’t be a shock. He’s too good to be sat on the bench every week. He probably does regret moving here now.

Is he tho, he had one good season in the championship, in the times he played for us, he was a bit shaky, couple of good saves and couple of shaky moments, i think he believes he is a good player as well he should but he has to be realistic in his place in things, one good season in the championship does not compete with a world class multiple trophy winning gk.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Is he tho, he had one good season in the championship, in the times he played for us, he was a bit shaky, couple of good saves and couple of shaky moments, i think he believes he is a good player as well he should but he has to be realistic in his place in things, one good season in the championship does not compete with a world class multiple trophy winning gk.

Well yea. He is too good to be sat on the bench and he needs to be playing every week. I didn’t say that was at city. I think he’d start for a lot of premier league clubs.

If he’s not good enough for compete, why did we sign him? Clearly the club think he has the potential.

He’s a young keeper, with a lot talent, we shouldn’t be writing him off either because he’s not the same level as seasoned international. I’d hope we aren’t judging a young player based solely on one season either and we can look to the future

 

[mancboy]

Well yea. He is too good to be sat on the bench and he needs to be playing every week. I didn’t say that was at city. I think he’d start for a lot of premier league clubs.

If he’s not good enough for compete, why did we sign him? Clearly the club think he has the potential.

He’s a young keeper, with a lot talent, we shouldn’t be writing him off either because he’s not the same level as seasoned international. I’d hope we aren’t judging a young player based solely on one season either and we can look to the future

absolutely correct but if he wants to be gone in january already it would suggest he doesnt want to compete.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

absolutely correct but if he wants to be gone in january already it would suggest he doesnt want to compete.

That’s fair, but then what chance does he actually have? There’s no way we are going to drop Donnarumma.

There’s no clear pathway anymore for Trafford, whereas with ederson there was. I don’t think it matters how well he plays in the cup or trains either

 

[paulchapo]

He's just signed and he's only 22 and still learning his trade, what's all this leaving bollocks? What if Donnarumma gets injured? Also how long will Donnarumma be here for? He has a habit of moving on i think Courtois at Madrid is 33 now so they may come in for him in a year or two and if they do i reckon he'd push to leave. Trafford would be 24 with two more years experience and probably ready to step up then. He was always going to be number 2 this year if Ederson had stayed. If we're successful he could win trophies here and possibly play in the league and fa cup finals too. Where is he going to move to a better club?

 

[Saddleworth2]

He's just signed and he's only 22 and still learning his trade, what's all this leaving bollocks? What if Donnarumma gets injured? Also how long will Donnarumma be here for? He has a habit of moving on i think Courtois at Madrid is 33 now so they may come in for him in a year or two and if they do i reckon he'd push to leave. Trafford would be 24 with two more years experience and probably ready to step up then. He was always going to be number 2 this year if Ederson had stayed. If we're successful he could win trophies here and possibly play in the league and fa cup finals too. Where is he going to move to a better club?

not better for sure but he would play more. Its already cost him his England squad place. I really hope he stays but completely understand if he moves on.