Pep Guardiola has confirmed that James Trafford will start the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday.
The Manchester City manager had indicated he was likely to pick his second-choice goalkeeper and has decided against going for Champions League winner Gianluigi Donnarumma at Wembley, where he won Euro 2020.
Trafford, who was called up to the England squad by Thomas Tuchel on Friday, has played throughout City’s Carabao Cup run and excelled in the semi-final against Newcastle.
The goalkeeper has said he is disappointed not to have played more following his summer move from Burnley.
Guardiola shrugged: “Players can be happy, unhappy. it is what it is. They have to be here to do the best they can do and after we will see what happens at the end of the season. The important thing is they have to be ready.”
He said he was pleased with Trafford. “Beyond [happy], yeah,” he added.
Guardiola could win a record fifth League Cup but it will be a first trophy for some of his new-look team.
“Being there is an honour and a big challenge,” he said. “To reach the finals, no matter the competition, it’s always really, really tough. We see the level in Europe, here, in other leagues, in any competition.
“Being there, you have to have the flavour that it’s a big opportunity, because you never know when it’s going to happen again. So that’s why we have to do it.”
