Not playing at Man City 'horrendous' - Trafford

Key points

• James Trafford said not playing for Manchester City last season was "horrendous" before his summer move to Leeds.
• He made one further Premier League start in the 35 games after Gianluigi Donnarumma joined City.
• Trafford has started all nine of Leeds' Premier League matches this season, keeping three clean sheets.

James Trafford has described not playing for Manchester City last season as "horrendous", before he joined Leeds United in the summer in search of first-team football. City re-signed the academy graduate in July 2025, two years after he left for Burnley.

Less than six weeks later, Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived from Paris St-Germain and became City's first-choice goalkeeper. After starting the first three matches of the campaign, the 24-year-old Trafford made just one further Premier League start in the 35 games that followed.

Trafford on a difficult season

Speaking on Football Daily's The Football Interview, Trafford said he rang family and friends to vent during his time on the fringes of Pep Guardiola's squad. Despite limited playing time, he said he helped City win the League Cup and FA Cup after starting both finals at Wembley.

Trafford said he had moments of regret and disappointment but now feels thankful for the experience, saying he learned and improved a lot. He was also part of England's squad for the 2026 World Cup, which he called an "incredible experience" despite not playing.

What a horrendous, horrendous feeling. Not playing.

— James Trafford

Record move to Leeds

Trafford joined Leeds United after the World Cup in a deal worth up to £45m, a record for a British goalkeeper. He has started all nine of Leeds' Premier League matches this season, keeping three clean sheets, and the club sit 12th before this weekend's fixtures.

Trafford said he hopes to become England's starting goalkeeper one day and believes regular performances for Leeds can help him reach that aim.