Trafford did not expect to be Man City´s second-choice goalkeeper

Manchester City’s James Trafford did not expect himself to be playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma this season.

Trafford rejoined Man City from Burnley last summer, and seemed set to take the number one spot off Ederson.

However, with Ederson eventually joining Fenerbahce, City took the chance to sign Donnarumma on a cut-price deal from Paris Saint-Germain.

Trafford made three straight starts in the Premier League in August, but has found himself as Pep Guardiola’s second choice since Donnarumma’s arrival.

“I didn’t expect the situation to happen, but it happened, so just get on with it,” said Trafford, who featured against Salford City in the FA Cup on Saturday.

“Work very hard every day and then see what happens, give it my best shot.

“No, it wasn’t that [I was promised to be number one], but it [the plan] wasn’t what happened.

“It is what it is. It’s football, it is what it is, you’ve got to keep grafting every day and the games that come, play as hard as you can.

“It’s just another experience to add to my career and yeah, it has been good learning.

“I don’t know what happens next season. I just know that I’ll just take it a day at a time and try and improve.”

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Trafford has made 11 appearances overall this term, keeping five clean sheets.

He did make an error leading directly to a goal when City lost to Tottenham in August, but from 12 expected goals on target conceded (xGoT), Trafford has conceded only nine goals.

The 23-year-old, who was also heavily linked with a move to Newcastle United last year, has therefore recorded a goals prevented figure of 3.0, which compares favourably with Donnarumma’s 3.6 (31 goals conceded, excluding own goals, from 34.6 xGoT).

With Trafford’s appearances limited largely to the cup competitions, there is speculation he may miss out on a place in England’s World Cup squad.

“I haven’t spoken to the [England staff about] if that’s enough, but I play as well as I can and train every day very hard and it’s just down to me,” he added.

“Obviously, everyone knows what’s going on with me, so I’ve just got to, whenever I play, play as well as I can.”