James Trafford reveals he never wanted to be a goalkeeper despite starring between the sticks

James Trafford never actually wanted to become a goalkeeper. He was a midfielder in Carlisle United’s academy when they were short between the sticks one day.

Up went the nine-year-old’s hand as a favour for that one match and he has never looked back. Manchester City came calling within two years and Trafford is now emerging as one of the stories of this Under-21 European Championship, with clubs in the top two divisions monitoring his progress.

Three clean sheets, a catalogue of eye-catching saves and real confidence with the ball at his feet under pressure is making observers sit up and take notice. By his own admission, Trafford would not have made it outfield but then again, his distribution – with some similarities to Ederson – does make you wonder.

‘Did you see the one-hander when it bounced up?’ England and City team-mate Cole Palmer asked after England knocked Germany out in the group stage on Wednesday night, Trafford clawing away a late effort destined to go in. Palmer spent post-match just marvelling at his mate.

‘Wow. He is so good. I’ve always said to him – even when we were little – that he is going to be world-class. That’s what I think anyway.’

The 20-year-old was a midfielder in Carlisle United’s academy before changing position

Trafford has become one of the success stories of the Under-21 European Championship

The two of them met when they were 11, growing up together and appear primed for careers at the very top. They won the 2020 Youth Cup, although Trafford missed the final after Pep Guardiola called him into the first team for a game at Sheffield United.

Some pedigree but Trafford, who grew up in Cockermouth – a short drive from the Cumbrian hometowns of Dean Henderson and Scott Carson – is not a household name in this England squad.

The attacking players have gone for more than £100million in transfer fees between them over the last year while he spent time on loan at Bolton Wanderers in League One.

Bolton came after a tough spell with Accrington Stanley and very few England fans will have seen the No 1 play, although have been remarking in the bars of Georgia at how impressive he looks. 

The spot wasn’t even his under Lee Carsley until March, when first-choice Joe Bursik found himself jettisoned completely from squads following an underwhelming move to Club Brugge.

Trafford has grasped the chance, his smart throw out to Harvey Elliott earning an assist the other night, and this bolder England can play a different way with City’s kid behind them. He later rushed out 40 yards to chest down a ball with snow on it, ignoring two strikers hurtling towards him, then playing around them with two touches.

Cole Palmer (right) says his England team-mate is going to be a ‘world-class’ goalkeeper

‘It’s massive having a keeper like that who’s so calm and composed,’ James Garner said. ‘Waiting for the strikers to come and press him so we can pop out and find the spare man.’ Noni Madueke labelled him ‘unbelievable’.

The 20-year-old has always owned serious self-belief and in the weeks before this tournament suggested that he’s already equipped to perform in a Champions League final. He insists that he will earn senior international honours. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with any of that. Carsley is happy he is backing it all up on the grass.

‘When he first came to City, everyone was thinking, “who’s this kid?” [and] he wasn’t [physically] developed, couldn’t really kick it,’ Palmer said. ‘As time went on everyone looked at each other, like “wow.” He knows himself how good he is but he’s not arrogant. He’s a nice lad. He’s got the ability, hasn’t he?

‘And do you know what? You could see it in the academy. Even in training he’s so hard to score past. I don’t think everyone has seen it yet and this tournament is showing it. I already knew how good he is, I’m just glad everyone else is seeing it.’