1 | James Trafford - 2025/26

I think City & Trafford have a big decision to make, but with the right discussion around it, I’d like to think there’s a way through.

For City - develop a long-term strategy that means offloaded Donnarumma at the right time to allow Trafford to become the #1 for the next 10 years. I suspect only a year or two before he gets moved on.

For Trafford - is he willing to stick with the squad for the time period agreed above to be the #1 at the best run club in the world and challenge for trophies for a decade.
 
Blue Coop said:
For Trafford - is he willing to stick with the squad for the time period agreed above to be the #1 at the best run club in the world and challenge for trophies for a decade.
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I think it's fairly obvious from his public comments that the answer to this question is no. The best we can hope for is a loan or another buyback clause.
 
On one hand you have Donnarumma...great shot stopper, poor distribution, poor in the air, huge wages, agent running his mouth about a return to Italy every 5 minutes.

Then on the othe you have Trafford...perhaps not at the same level yet, better with his feet, better in the air, homegrown.

I know who I'd be starting next season.
 
Welsh said:
On one hand you have Donnarumma...great shot stopper, poor distribution, poor in the air, huge wages, agent running his mouth about a return to Italy every 5 minutes.

Then on the othe you have Trafford...perhaps not at the same level yet, better with his feet, better in the air, homegrown.

I know who I'd be starting next season.
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Donnarumma’s a mercenary, Trafford is a homegrown keeper who even if he never reaches the same level of outright shot-stopping as Gigi, he adds a lot more in terms of his general skillset and identity of the club.

I’d also be happy for Trafford to be the number one moving forward from next season.
 
Incredible saves. It was critical we didn't concede first and he did exactly what we needed him to. I thought his distribution was excellent, he fired some long balls into areas that didn't put us under pressure and were much better than Donnarumma's usual efforts.

It's a shame for him that there's someone in his way. He's got the potential to be a world class goalkeeper in my opinion and as an academy graduate I want to see him do well with us. But Donnarumma is better right now and is always going to be ahead of him unfortunately.

He can hold his head high though. He's joined and whilst it's not gone the way he wanted, he's started a cup final and won it. That might end up being a better season than Donnarumma anyway!
 
I suspect we’ll send him on loan in the prem somewhere next season, and then we’ll have a decision to make with another full year of experience behind him.

I know it’s kicking the can down the road for a year, but it’s probably the best option.

He’s simply too good to let him leave permanently, and his homegrown status is very valuable to us. And we’ll probably need Donnarumma’s experience next season, particularly if we’re playing relatively inexperienced defenders like Khusanov and O’Reilly.
 
Brewster's millions said:
I suspect we’ll send him on loan in the prem somewhere next season, and then we’ll have a decision to make with another full year of experience behind him.

I know it’s kicking the can down the road for a year, but it’s probably the best option.

He’s simply too good to let him leave permanently, and his homegrown status is very valuable to us. And we’ll probably need Donnarumma’s experience next season, particularly if we’re playing relatively inexperienced defenders like Khusanov and O’Reilly.
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whilst I hope this is what happens if he says he wants out City will not stand in his way.
 
Welsh said:
On one hand you have Donnarumma...great shot stopper, poor distribution, poor in the air, huge wages, agent running his mouth about a return to Italy every 5 minutes.

Then on the othe you have Trafford...perhaps not at the same level yet, better with his feet, better in the air, homegrown.

I know who I'd be starting next season.
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Do you think that is a bit of a character flaw in Donnarumma? Why doesn't he tell his Agent to shut the fuck up as he will decide his future not the Agent. You don't hear Trafford's agent mouthing off
 
Saddleworth2 said:
whilst I hope this is what happens if he says he wants out City will not stand in his way.
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True, and it may just be wishful thinking on my behalf

But I’m sure we could be persuasive and make a tempting pitch to him. Trafford seems to have a proper connection with the club and it would be a shame to throw that away for the sake of playing a season or two elsewhere in the league, particularly at his age.
 
That triple save was historic. Wouldn't be mad if he leaves anymore, got us a cup and is way too good to be the 2nd choice.
 
Donnarumma makes some incredible saves that take your breath away, but Trafford has also made great saves this season in the chances he's had.

Donnarumma's footwork has always been questionable - most of the time he's ok, but that's all. My biggest disappointment with him is that he doesn't command his area better considering the size of him.

I'll support whoever gets picked, but I would actually prefer us to get behind Trafford and make him 1st choice next season. He wouldn't let us down.

The biggest issue in any of this is the wages that Donnarumma is on. It seriously limits which clubs can afford him and who might want him. Probably rules out a return to Italy and most other big clubs want ball-playing keepers now.

And because of this I think Trafford will probably be pushed out, even though I think it'd be the wrong decision long term.
 
#5- said:
Donnarumma’s a mercenary, Trafford is a homegrown keeper who even if he never reaches the same level of outright shot-stopping as Gigi, he adds a lot more in terms of his general skillset and identity of the club.
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Why is Donnarumma a mercenary, as opposed to other "senior" players we have bought?
 
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