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Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford is proving his worth at Elland Road right now. Manchester City may be regretting their decision.
After our first season back in the Premier League, it became obvious that a new goalkeeper was needed. Karl Darlow stepped up admirably, but between him and Lucas Perri, it wasn’t a pair that you could truly rely on long-term.
So, United spent £40million on Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford, breaking the club’s transfer record.
Roy Keane: Manchester City regretting James Trafford sale to Leeds United – “Patience”
The backdrop to Trafford being one of the best goalkeepers in the league in a Leeds shirt is that Man City are having plenty of goalkeeper issues of their own.
Gigi Donnarumma was brought in last summer as an immediate replacement for Trafford after a couple of shaky games at the Etihad. While there’s been some tremendous shot-stopping in there, mistakes are becoming more and more prevalent.
His latest was letting Nicolas Jackson’s shot squirm under his body against Aston Villa, described as “wet Weetabix” by Steven Gerrard.
Also on the Overlap, Roy Keane and Jamie Carragher believe that Man City should never have sold Trafford to Leeds in the summer.
“City 2-1,” Gary Neville and Carragher predicted for Man City at home to Brighton on Stick To Football.
“Not with that goalkeeper. He’s throwing them in, isn’t he, at the moment?” Keane responded.
“Oh, they need a keeper, City,” Carragher returned. “He’s not as good as what everyone thought.”
“Should have stayed with the young lad, Trafford. Make a few mistakes. Patience, Jamie,” Keane said.
Leeds United have proven Man City badly wrong on James Trafford
I feel very vindicated as a Leeds fan watching on at Trafford’s exemplary performances, knowing we backed the right horse here.
Donnarumma seemed an obvious signing for Man City at the time, but they clearly didn’t do their due diligence. There’s a reason PSG were happy to sell for a relatively low fee after winning the Champions League.
It’s because he’s not very good at anything other than the odd acrobatic save. He’s atrocious with his feet and at commanding his box.
Meanwhile, Trafford is growing into his role at Leeds and looks every bit the £40million ‘keeper we wanted. Long may that continue.
