England U21 boss Lee Carsley backs James Trafford to thrive at Burnley as the City starlet nears £19m move after keeping FOUR consecutive clean sheets at Euros
Lee Carsley has backed James Trafford to step up and perform in the Premier League as Burnley tie up a £19million move for the England Under-21 goalkeeper.
Trafford has kept four consecutive clean sheets on England’s run to Wednesday night’s European Championship semi-final against Israel, with a host of clubs having tracked his progress all summer.
Vincent Kompany’s Clarets stole a march in pursuit of the Manchester City academy graduate, who spent last season on loan at League One Bolton Wanderers.
Burnley are set to pay £15m up front, with £4m in add-ons and City will insert a buyback clause. Trafford, a confident 20-year-old, has shone at the Euros and his ability on the ball has matched authoritative goalkeeping.
‘James has shown this tournament that he is a high-level goalkeeper who is very consistent,’ Carsley said. ‘It is fair to say he has been very impressive in training and the lads have been very impressed with his level of consistency. I am sure he will have a big future ahead of him.
James Trafford has impressed while on England Under 21 duty keeping four consecutive clean sheets
Vincent Kompany and Burnley stole a march in pursuit of the Manchester City academy graduate
Lee Carsley is adamant that his Young Lions goalkeeper will go on to thrive in the Premier League
‘We’ve shown with a lot of our players, like Morgan [Gibbs-White] and Anthony [Gordon], that the price tags that go with younger players now is the norm. This group of players take that in their stride. I think they are very level headed and humble.’
England have a golden chance to reach a first Euros final since 2009 but are without star midfielder Jacob Ramsey, who flew home on Tuesday morning.
The Aston Villa midfielder sustained an ankle injury during Sunday’s victory over Portugal and is heading for a specialist to determine whether he requires surgery. Harvey Elliott and Emile Smith Rowe are vying for Ramsey’s spot, while Carsley is without full backs Max Aarons and Ben Johnson through suspension.
Israel have problems of their own, with the quarter-final penalty hero Daniel Peretz – who saved two spot kicks in beating hosts Georgia in a shootout – out after picking up two bookings. Dynamic midfielder Eden Karzev is also banned, although danger man Oscar Gloukh, of Red Bull Salzburg, should cause England problems.
‘I told the players that they are the children of the revolution of Israeli sport,’ Israel boss Guy Luzon said. ‘We are in the big four of Europe. I am so proud.’
Carsley is deliberating over Smith Rowe or Elliott, the latter back in training after leaving camp for a family engagement at the weekend. Alongside Gordon, two-goal Smith Rowe will have eyes on the golden boot.
‘What we’ve tried to do is remove the pressure from Emile,’ Carsley added. ‘It’s important that he enjoys his football and plays with confidence and a smile. Wearing the No 10 at Arsenal is a tough thing, especially with the history that shirt has got.
‘I don’t think it has weighed him down, but I think there is a pressure that goes with it, which he has shown he can handle. Since he has been in camp with us, he has been outstanding in every session. You see a different player when he is playing with confidence and energy.’
Trafford, a confident 20-year-old, and his ability on the ball has matched authoritative goalkeeping
