Gabriel Agbonlahor has suggested that one of Manchester City’s recent signings risks having his World Cup dream crushed by Pep Guardiola.
Manchester City have strengthened their ranks considerably this summer, with an effective changing of the guard taking place.
The likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker have left, while a host of top talents have come in, such as Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri.
However, another of City’s recent signings could soon slip further down the pecking order if recent transfer rumours are anything to go by.
Gabriel Agbonlahor worries James Trafford may not break into England World Cup squad
City’s goalkeeping options left a lot to be desired last season, prompting Pep Guardiola to bring James Trafford back to the Etihad Stadium.
The Englishman joined as a No. 2 – with Stefan Ortega expected to leave – but with a view to challenging for Ederson’s spot in the starting XI.
However, Gianluigi Donnarumma – one of the best goalkeepers in the world – has since become available, and City are said to be on the case.
Donnarumma is reported to have agreed personal terms with Manchester City, but a move is yet to be finalised.
Agbonlahor, speaking on talkSPORT, believes Donnarumma’s arrival would shut down Trafford’s hopes of playing regularly and, in turn, hamper his 2026 World Cup hopes.
“I think as well, he’s not signed for small money,” Agbonlahor said in response to Jeff Stelling’s fears over Trafford in the wake of the Donnarumma rumours.
“£27million, 22 years of age, World Cup year, if he could get that position off Ederson and play regular football, he’s got every chance of breaking into England squad.
“And then you hear about Donnarumma and you’re like ‘all right then, I’m not going to play this season’.”
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Why Gianluigi Donnarumma may not be a good fit for Manchester City
Donnarumma has done enough to warrant being deemed one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if not the very best.
The likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Alessandro Costacurta previously described Donnarumma as the best in the world.
However, even the very best players will struggle in teams that don’t really play to their strengths, or in leagues where their weaknesses can be magnified.
Journalist and PSG fan Julien Laurens recently claimed that Donnarumma could struggle in the Premier League as he is not the best either in possession or aerially.
It will be interesting to see what happens in the coming weeks on the goalkeeper front.
On one hand, Donnarumma is clearly one of the best in the world, but on the other, there are questions over his weaknesses and over what it could mean for Trafford and Ederson.
