Guardiola on James Trafford — defines another intriguing chapter in Manchester City’s goalkeeping landscape, as Pep Guardiola moved to shut down speculation over the 23-year-old’s future ahead of the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Brentford. Trafford has barely featured since Gianluigi Donnarumma’s arrival from PSG, sparking concern over his development and England prospects. But Guardiola, speaking with absolute clarity, insisted the young goalkeeper will not be leaving the Etihad during the January window.
Trafford is set to make just his fourth start of the season, with the majority of his minutes arriving in cup competitions. His lack of Premier League action saw him dropped from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad in November — a decision that raised questions about whether a loan or permanent move might be needed for him to stay in contention for Euro 2026.
Guardiola, however, dismissed that possibility outright. For the City manager, Trafford remains an “incredible keeper” whose long-term future remains tied to the club even if Donnarumma is the clear No.1 for now.
Guardiola on James Trafford: “He will absolutely stay”
Guardiola’s message left no room for ambiguity. Trafford will remain part of the Manchester City project—regardless of his current position in the depth chart.
“He’s an incredible keeper… He is with us and will be with us this season and after we will see what happens.” — Pep Guardiola
Guardiola also offered a reminder of the volatility of the goalkeeper position. One moment, one injury, or one tactical shift can transform a backup into a starter overnight. For that reason, he emphasised stability and patience rather than immediate movement.
City strongly believe Trafford’s ceiling remains high, and with the club competing on multiple fronts, meaningful minutes are still expected to arrive — even if they are not currently in the Premier League.
Carabao Cup Rotation: Injuries Limit Guardiola’s Options
The Brentford quarter-final presents a rare opportunity for Trafford and several fringe players. Guardiola plans to rotate as much as he can, but injuries and international absences have restricted the scale of those changes.
- Jérémy Doku is sidelined for at least two or three more weeks after missing the win over Crystal Palace.
- Omar Marmoush and Rayan Aït-Nouri have travelled for AFCON preparations.
- Academy talents are expected to supplement the squad.
Guardiola made it clear, however, that the real priority is Saturday’s Premier League clash with West Ham. City’s title push remains finely balanced, and preserving fitness for the league takes precedence.
Why Staying Is the Right Move for Trafford
Having followed City’s goalkeeping rotation patterns for several seasons, Trafford’s situation closely resembles the developmental pathway of other young keepers at elite clubs. Although some pundits argue he needs guaranteed minutes elsewhere, it’s worth questioning whether a mid-season move would genuinely help his England chances.
In our view, staying at City still carries clear advantages. He continues to receive high-level coaching in distribution and build-up play, remains part of a training environment that prepares players for elite competition, and avoids being thrown into a high-pressure situation that could stall growth. Despite Donnarumma being the established No.1, injuries or rotation could still open opportunities, particularly in cup competitions. A summer loan may make more sense than a rushed January exit.
Key Insights
- Pep Guardiola confirms James Trafford will “absolutely” stay at Manchester City in January.
- The goalkeeper has made just three starts all season.
- Doku is out for 2–3 more weeks, limiting squad rotation.
- City prioritise Saturday’s match vs West Ham over the Brentford cup tie.
- Trafford remains part of City’s long-term goalkeeping strategy.
What’s Next?
Trafford is expected to start against Brentford, offering a valuable opportunity to showcase his sharpness and force Guardiola into further consideration. After that, all attention turns to West Ham on 20 December — a match Guardiola labelled “so, so important”.
👉 City fans — should Trafford be trusted with more Premier League minutes, or is Donnarumma simply too strong a barrier this season?
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