James Trafford: Man City goalkeeper on learning this season and World Cup hopes

Trafford is no stranger to winning silver medals.

He was England’s hero in the 2023 European Under-21 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 helped Scott Parker’s Burnley to an immediate return to the Premier League with 29 clean sheets in 45 appearances and became the first goalkeeper to receive the Champion Player of the Year award at the PFA awards.

He made another shutout this season to help City beat Arsenal in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley and is expected to start Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton after saving Mohamed Salah’s penalty against Liverpool in the previous round.

Trafford said: “Everybody likes big games, tough games, but if we get beat in those games I might be speaking differently. You’ve got to win the cup game because if you don’t then unless I get in.” [for] league which I haven’t done so far – no games then [for me].

“Of course it’s a new experience for me because it’s the first time I’ve had a moment like this when you come to cup games, but the good thing about this club and this season is that we’ve gone as far as we can in both cups so far.”