Joe Hart knows what it takes to be a successful goalkeeper at Manchester City.
There was a time back around the 2011/12 season where the man born in Shrewsbury was arguably the best goalkeeper on the planet, keeping 17 clean sheets in 38 Premier League appearances that term to win Manchester City the title.
In total, the Englishman played 348 games for the Citizens – keeping 137 clean sheets while also winning two Premier League titles, two League Cups and one FA Cup.
Therefore, James Trafford would be minded to listen to anything Joe Hart has to say after sealing a £31m move from Burnley to the Etihad Stadium – and the Manchester City legend has now got in touch.
Joe Hart tells James Trafford to “go for it” at Manchester City
The 38-year-old messaged the new Manchester City No.1 on Instagram after he posted “back home where I belong” to celebrate his return.
Hart wrote “love it – go for it” while also adding an emoji with a star.
Oscar Bobb also got in touch with Trafford, who admires James McAtee, sending the 22-year-old a string of heart emojis.
Liverpool No.84 Conor Bradley – who played with the £31m man on loan at Bolton during the 2022/23 campaign – added “proud of you mate” along with another heart emoji.
Ben Foster was also present in the comments section, posting two applauding emojis to congratulate Trafford – who Cole Palmer adores – on his move, which is a new British transfer record for a goalkeeper.
James Trafford can take inspiration from Aaron Ramsdale after rallying Joe Hart cry
Trafford – who Burnley fans wished well – might not feel like he can “go for it” immediately under Pep Guardiola due to the presence of Ederson and Stefan Ortega.
However, Ortega could soon be leaving, and in terms of dislodging Ederson, the man born in Cockermouth only has to look at how Aaron Ramsdale conducted himself after a £24m move to Arsenal in 2021.
The England international had just been relegated with Sheffield United, and found himself up against an outright No.1 in Germany international Bernd Leno after moving to north London.
Ramsdale started the first two Premier League games of the 2021/22 season on the bench behind the German, but after taking his chance in a 6-0 Carabao Cup win over West Brom, he was handed a start on matchday three by Mikel Arteta.
Of course, Ramsdale failed to maintain his high level of performance and was ultimately replaced by David Raya, but if Trafford currently feels like Ederson is immovable in between the sticks, he ought to look at the situation involving Leno for inspiration.
