James Trafford has officially become a Manchester City player.
Handed the number one shirt upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, the 22-year-old will be determined to oust Ederson as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper as soon as possible.
As things stand, Ederson remains Guardiola’s preferred number one but another English goalkeeper in Joe Hart once famously took Shay Given’s spot as City’s main man between the sticks.
Trafford revealed he admires Ederson hugely and even if he remains an understudy to him during his debut season, getting a chance to learn from the Brazilian will only aid his development.
Man City’s new signing James Trafford names Petr Cech as his idol
However, unlike his previous spell at Manchester City, James Trafford is far better-equipped to cement his place as a starter, gaining much-needed first-team experience at Accrington Stanley, Bolton Wanderers and Burnley.
With Ashley Cole being a huge admirer of Trafford as well, it seems like City have well and truly signed one of the most prodigious up-and-coming goalkeepers in Europe.
Speaking to Manchester City’s official in-house media, the youngster was asked who his footballing idol was growing up.
Trafford instantly Chelsea legend Petr Cech as his hero.
Cole Palmer has already made a bold James Trafford prediction
If the England U-21 international can go on to have half the career the Champions League winner did, who departed Stamford Bridge for a £10 million (BBC Sport) move to Arsenal in 2015, Pep Guardiola and Co would have every reason to be delighted.
Petr Cech is arguably the best goalkeeper to have ever graced the Premier League and as a result, it’s safe to say that Trafford has chosen the right man to idolise.
Cole Palmer tipped Trafford to become “world-class”, recounting on playing in tandem with the highly-rated shotstopper for Manchester City: “I first met him at Under-12s. When he first came, everyone was thinking: ‘Who’s this kid?’ He came from Carlisle and as time went on everyone was looking at each other like: ‘Wow’.
“I always say to him, even when we were little, that he is going to be world class. I don’t think everyone has seen it yet and this tournament he is showing it now. I already knew how good he was, and I am just glad everyone is seeing it.”
