Ex-England goalkeeper's honest verdict on James Trafford to Leeds United transfer

Former England goalkeeper David James believes James Trafford would ‘tick all the boxes’ for a club like Leeds United.

The Whites are in talks with Manchester City over a deal for Trafford, who is expected to leave Manchester City after falling behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order. The Athletic’s David Ornstein reported on Thursday that the 23-year-old is leaning towards an Elland Road move.

Newcastle United have held a long-standing interest in Trafford but no longer appear to be in the race, while Aston Villa could swoop if Emiliano Martinez leaves. But Leeds are hopeful of securing what would be an incredible transfer coup and ex-City shot-stopper James has shared his thoughts on the transfer.

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“What he has demonstrated when he has played, he has been superb,” James told Grosvenor Sport. “I mean, there are a couple of league games granted, and I think he only played four league games in the end. But definitely in the cups, where he is playing under pressure, especially at Wembley in front of 90,000 people in tough games, he has handled that pressure extremely well.

“I think Man City look a more controlled side when he is playing. I love Donnarumma, I think he is a fantastic goalkeeper, but I think with Trafford, there's a lot more scope for Man City to play and I think, depending on how [Enzo] Maresca wants to set his thing up, Trafford would be my number one there. However, if Maresca or the club thought that James wasn't going to be the number one, then I think he would have to move on because, as you say, Jordan Pickford, excellent as he is, needs a proper challenger from someone who is playing regularly in a first team.

“The question for Trafford is where would he go? Would it be one of the promoted sides where he could be under pressure again like he was when he was at Burnley in that relegation season, or would there be a bigger club looking for a goalkeeper of his stature? Maybe Newcastle or Leeds? And I think all the boxes could be ticked with Trafford.

“So first of all, stay at the club. You're not going to get much bigger than Manchester City. Well, actually, you're not going to get as successful as Man City over the last five or six years. So yeah, I would stay, but if not, then he has got to be playing to get that England number one spot.”