Man City fans deliver verdict on James Trafford’s performance against Wolves amid Donnarumma links

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Manchester City fans have cast their opinion on James Trafford after the goalkeeper made his Premier League debut in his side’s comfortable win against Wolves.

Two goals from Erling Haaland, one from Tijjani Reijnders and another from Rayan Cherki saw the eight-time Premier League champions (and ten-time top-flight winners) get their 2025/26 campaign off to the perfect start.

After he returned to the club in the summer, a lot of eyes were on Trafford in goal, especially amid Man City’s interest in Gianluigi Donnarumma.

However, the 22-year-old was calm and composed throughout, receiving plaudits from across the City fanbase as a result.

Man City fans believe they ‘are in safe hands’ with James Trafford after Wolves win

While Wolves did not place the Manchester City goal under significant stress, Trafford handled everything that came his way confidently.

The former England U21 goalkeeper also expertly commanded his penalty area, making a dramatic improvement in this department since his Premier League campaign with Burnley in the 2023/24 season.

For these reasons, Man City fans eulogised about their new goalkeeper during and after the game.

One wrote on X, ‘We are already in safe hands with James Trafford,’ while another added, ‘Well, James Trafford just is mustard, isn’t he.’

Other fans compared him to Man City goalkeepers past and present.

One claimed that ‘James Trafford is an upgrade on Ederson,’ while another compared him to Joe Hart.

Such was the quality of his performance, City fans even began questioning whether they should even sign Donnarumma.

One wrote: ‘Based on the first half, it would be really unfair to James Trafford if Man City went on and signed Donnarumma.’

Another said: ‘James Trafford, we can say [to] Donnarumma to warm the bench.’

Such opinions are a significant vote of confidence in the Englishman and should provide him with hope that he can compete with Donnarumma if the Italian joins the club.

James Trafford’s performances in the 2024/25 season showed he can compete with Gianluigi Donnarumma

While playing at vastly different levels, Trafford’s performances throughout the 2023/24 campaign also indicate that he has the ability to compete with Donnarumma.

The 22-year-old kept an incredible 29 clean sheets in the Championship for Burnley, and conceded just 16 goals across 45 second-tier appearances.

On his way to achieving those clean sheet numbers, he also saved two penalties in the same game against Sunderland, proving his ability in this area as well.

Incredibly comfortable with the ball at his feet, he could even provide more to City’s build-up play than Donnarumma, as already shown by the pass that Trafford clipped to Reijnders for Haaland’s second goal and City’s third against Wolves.

If Ederson leaves City and the club brings the PSG goalkeeper to the Etihad before the close of the transfer window, then expect Trafford to provide stiff competition for the starting spot.