James Trafford Opens Up: City Struggles Were 'Horrendous' for the Keeper

James Trafford didn't hold back when describing his time at Manchester City last season, calling it ‘horrendous’ after he found himself sidelined. The young goalkeeper sought a fresh start and moved to Leeds United in the summer to secure regular first-team action. After rejoining City in July 2025, following a stint at Burnley, Trafford's hopes quickly dimmed when Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma made his way to Manchester from PSG. The seasoned shot-stopper, fresh off a Champions League win, took the number one spot and left Trafford struggling for minutes. Despite starting the opening three matches, Trafford managed just one more Premier League appearance in the following 35 games after Donnarumma’s arrival. In a revealing chat on Football Daily's The Football Interview, he shared the emotional toll of being on the bench. "What a horrendous, horrendous feeling. Not playing," Trafford expressed. "You end up reaching out to friends and family, venting about how tough it is. It's like calling someone after a rough day at work—just looking for some support." Though the playing time was sparse, Trafford took pride in contributing to City’s success, helping them clinch both the League Cup and FA Cup, where he was the starting keeper in the finals. "I always head into a season with high hopes and the belief that everything will go well," he noted. "We didn’t win all four trophies, which was disappointing, but I tried to make the most of it. Looking back, I learned a lot, improved significantly, and won two trophies in one year. That’s something to be thankful for." As part of England’s squad for the 2026 World Cup, Trafford didn’t see any action on the pitch, yet he cherished the experience. "I didn’t expect to play, but being there was incredible. You absorb everything and learn from it, aiming to improve every day, because that’s how you position yourself for future opportunities." With his sights set on being the first-choice goalkeeper for England, Trafford is optimistic that if he maintains his strong form at Leeds, that dream could become a reality. "It’s my goal, something I’ve always dreamed of. Every day, I push myself to be in the best position to achieve that," he stated. After leaving City for Leeds in a record £45m deal for a British goalkeeper, Trafford has embraced his role as a regular starter. He’s already made a significant impact, starting all nine of Leeds’ Premier League matches this season and keeping three clean sheets. With Leeds sitting 12th in the table and just two points from European competition, he believes the best is yet to come. "It’s an incredible club with a passionate fanbase. We’re on an upward trajectory and aiming for European football, which every club aspires to. The goal is to continue improving." Reflecting on his journey, Trafford knows he’s not your typical footballer, but he’s determined to carve out his own path and make a mark in the game.