Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford has opened up about his return to the club, admitting that his lack of action ‘wasn’t what I expected’.
Trafford, who came through the ranks at City, re-joined the club last summer in a £27million switch from Burnley.
The 23-year-old chose City over Newcastle United after being told he would be their first-choice goalkeeper with Ederson leaving for Fenerbahce.
However, Trafford’s return to the Etihad has seen him play second-fiddle at the club following Gianluigi Donnarumma arrival on transfer deadline day last summer from Paris Saint-Germain.
Trafford was given a rare start on Saturday in their 2-0 win over League Two side Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round.
And speaking post-match, the England international hinted at his disappointment at how his season has gone so far under Pep Guardiola.
James Trafford has expressed his disappointment at his lack of game-time at Manchester City
He was given a rare start in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Salford City in the FA Cup fourth-round
‘It was nice, it wasn’t what I expected coming into the season,’ the goalkeeper told BBC Sport when being asked what it was like to play once again.
‘I tried to guard against the situation happening but it’s the reality and I know every time I play, I have to give it my best shot and try and win and try and improve. It’s the current situation I’m in.’
Trafford didn’t get carried away too when praised for some saves before half-time.
‘We train every day but making saves, it’s good fun,’ he continued.
As revealed by Daily Mail Sport in December, Trafford was looking to leave City in the January transfer window.
However, the move never materialised as fellow back-up goalkeeper Stefan Ortega left for Nottingham Forest instead.
Part of Trafford’s discussions with City over the summer centred on the move providing an opportunity to claim the England jersey from Everton’s Jordan Pickford.
However, the Cumbrian’s lack of game-time means his World Cup place is unlikely, with England head coach Thomas Tuchel insistent that members of the squad must be playing regularly.
Gianluigi Donnarumma has been City’s first-choice goalkeeper since arriving in the summer
Donnarumma has played 30 matches for City since joining, with Trafford having had to settle for domestic cup games – plus one Champions League appearance.
Overall Trafford has made 11 appearances in all competitions for City, with all three in the Premier League coming in August.
