'I played 75 times for England & can see Leeds United's James Trafford replacing Jordan Pickford by Euro 2028'
The Leeds United goalkeeper has ambitions to feature for his country at a major tournament.
Being picked to start for England against Spain should be a ‘massive boost’ for Leeds United goalkeeper James Trafford’s hopes of replacing Jordan Pickford, according to David Seaman.
Trafford featured in two of England’s four matches during the recent international break, most notably starting the opening game against world champions Spain and making some smart saves. The 24-year-old is reaping the benefits of playing regular football at club-level since becoming United’s most expensive ever player in the summer.
The goalkeeper has played every Premier League minute and been largely excellent, but for a small error to allow Riccardo Calafiori to score during last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Arsenal. And Seaman, who played 75 times for England including in four major tournaments, believes there is a chance he could usurp Pickford in time for Euro 2028.
Asked by Betway who he expects to be first-choice at the tournament in two years, Seaman said: “That's going to be close. When you look at Jordan and what he's done for England, you're not really expecting him to be left out. But James is going to be pushing him now, and this is what he needs.
“Now Trafford is playing for Leeds regularly, and he’s been given the nod by [Thomas] Tuchel to show that he trusts him against the world champions. That was a massive boost of confidence for James Trafford. We saw a goalkeeper that's very capable of performing at that level. I’m 50/50, if I’m honest, and that’s because of how highly I rate James Trafford.
“Jordan's level is up there because of what he's doing for England, and he's now doing it more regularly for Everton as well. It wasn’t his best World Cup, he knows that, but he's still got all that experience. Now it’s about seeing how he can perform when there’s a real contender.”
Coincidentally, Trafford’s first mistake of the season came in the same weekend Jordan Pickford let in a saveable shot for Everton against Hull City. But the Leeds man didn’t let it get the better of him, continuing to look calm and confident.
Trafford made no secret of his reasons for leaving City and joining Leeds in the summer, with regular club football a must if he is to break into the England squad. Seaman believes he is well on the way to doing so having earned the trust of Farke and his teammates.
“This is great for him, because now a new manager has put his belief in him,” Seaman added. “When he went to City, he played a few games and then they bought Donnarumma, which was a massive kick in the teeth for him.
“To spend all that time being the number two was tough for him. But now Daniel Farke has got belief in him, got him to Leeds, and we're seeing a goalkeeper now who is gaining confidence and experience. Thomas Tuchel showed belief in him, put him in for the game against Spain, the World Cup winners.
“That’s massive, it’s a big test, and he just handled it as though he was playing for the reserves. It was great to see him so calm in a big game like that. I’m more than happy that he’s at Leeds, obviously, and now we need to watch this space because it’s time for him to put pressure on Jordan.”