Trafford aims for no.1 spot as possibilty of City return grows

WHEN Manchester City and James Trafford parted ways two years ago, there was always the chance of a reunion further down the line.

- By TYRONE MARSHALL

Trafford felt he was ready to be No. 1 at the Etihad but knew his path was blocked, while City were in no doubt about just how talented he was.

‘The £15million deal that took him to Burnley has proved to be his breakthrough moment.

Trafford has played regularly at Turf Moor and developed from a keeper of promise to one now in the England squad.

He has also had his difficult moments, which have helped. He was dropped during Burnley's disappointing 2023/24 Premier League campaign and went on the kind of learning curve every young goalkeeper requires.

He bounced back to excel in the Championship last season and is now destined to move on from the Clarets.

For a while, it has looked like he was heading to Newcastle. They tried to sign him last summer and were back in for him in June, with Trafford, 22, identified as the man to challenge Nick Pope.