Season has been big learning experience - Trafford

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Goalkeeper James Trafford says this season has been a "big learning experience" and his transfer to Manchester City "hasn't been the best possible outcome".

Trafford, 23, rejoined City from Burnley in the summer and started the campaign as first choice by playing in the opening three Premier League games.

But he has since been consigned to featuring in cup competitions after Pep Guardiola signed Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris St-Germain on deadline day in September.

City had the option of matching a bid from another club when they sold Trafford to the Clarets in 2023 and Newcastle had an offer accepted last July, but the keeper decided to move back to Etihad Stadium.

"It has obviously been very up and down throughout the season because I haven't played too much and obviously I had a decision to make in the summer," Trafford told BBC Sport.

"Everyone always thinks when you make decisions [for] the best possible outcome and obviously it hasn't been the best possible outcome, but I have just tried to either improve every day and just try and stay positive, try and stay happy.

"Because throughout the year it has been such a big learning experience so the main thing I didn't want is for it to impact your general happiness and your general feeling. I have had to learn a lot throughout the year and I have just tried to work as hard as I can and try and improve and win the day."

In January, Guardiola left open a potential exit for Trafford at the end of the season - saying the situation of the keeper is "special", adding "we will see what happens".

Europa League semi-finalists Aston Villa have reportedly, external shown an interest in signing him in the summer.

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'Everyone enjoys the bigger games'

Image source, Getty Images

Trafford is no stranger to winning silverware.

He was the hero for England in the 2023 Under-21 European Championship final, saving a last-minute penalty to help the Young Lions beat Spain and win the competition for the first time in nearly 40 years.

Last season, he amassed an incredible 29 clean sheets in 45 matches to help Scott Parker's Burnley bounce immediately back to the Premier League and became the first goalkeeper to claim the Championship Player of the Year prize at the PFA awards.

This season, he kept another shutout to help City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley, while he is also expected to start Saturday's FA Cup semi-final against Southampton after saving a Mohamed Salah penalty against Liverpool in the previous round.

Trafford said: "Everyone enjoys the bigger games, the tougher games, but I might be speaking differently if we got beaten in them. The cup game you have to win, because if you don't win then unless I get in [for] the league - which I haven't so far - then there is no game [for me].

"It's obviously a new experience for me because it is the first time I have had this kind of moment where you come in for the cup games, but the good thing about this club and this season is we have progressed in both the cups as far as we possibly could have so far."

Making World Cup squad the aim

Despite playing second fiddle for much of the campaign, Trafford was given his England debut last month in the friendly draw against Uruguay.

The remaining two months of the season carry increased significance for international players as they aim for a call-up to this summer's World Cup.

Trafford said: "Obviously I want to try and make the squad. It will be a great experience for me. It will be brilliant, but I can't do anything between now and then.

"I have got the games where I play to just try and do my best to try and make the squad."

Meanwhile, City beat Burnley 1-0 on Wednesday to leapfrog Arsenal into top spot in the table, the first time City have been at the summit since the opening weekend.

Having already claimed the Carabao Cup this season, City remain on course to win a second domestic treble under Guardiola.

"Hopefully, that's the aim," said Trafford. "We can only win every game that we are involved in.

"It would obviously be tough but we have got a great squad and we have got full belief that we could do it."

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