Man City 2-0 Salford City: James Trafford talks about the reality of his situation after the FA Cup

When James Trafford returned to… Manchester City In June l The fee is around £30 millionwas hoping to emerge as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper.

He started this season in this role, and participated in City’s first three matches in the English Premier League this season.

But the arrival of Gianluigi Donnarumma spoiled the arrangement.

City took their chance to bring in one of the best goalkeepers in the world when the Italian was made surplus to requirements by Paris Saint-Germain on the summer deadline day.

Donnarumma has made 30 appearances for City since then, and Trafford has had to make do with domestic cup matches – as well as one Champions League appearance.

After keeping a clean sheet in the FA Cup fourth round win over Salford City on Saturday, Trafford admitted the current situation is not what he had imagined.

When asked about being City’s goalkeeper in the cup, Trafford told the BBC: “It wasn’t what I expected going into the season…

“This is the truth and I have to do my best. This is the situation I am in. We train every day but making tackles is fun.”

Trafford played 45 games last season as Burnley won promotion to the Premier League, conceding just 16 goals in the Championship in the process.

The 23-year-old then decided it was time to address unfinished business at City, who he left in 2023 in search of regular playing time.

But the arrival of Champions League winner Donnarumma, aged just 26, has dampened Trafford’s hopes of making an impact this time around.