Trafford admits club No.1 status is key to unseating Pickford as England's first choice

James Trafford has conceded that he will likely need to establish himself as a No.1 at club level before he can realistically challenge Jordan Pickford for the England goalkeeping jersey, speaking ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The 23-year-old joined Manchester City with ambitions of becoming their first-choice keeper and, in turn, England’s starter, but those plans were disrupted when City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma. Trafford found himself largely sidelined in the Premier League, though he did feature enough in cup competitions to collect both the FA Cup and Carabao Cup as part of a domestic double.

“I think history says yeah,” Trafford said when asked whether a goalkeeper needs to be a No.1 at club level to start for a major international side. “There hasn’t been a goalie start for any of the top nations that isn’t a number one at the club. So, going off history, I’d say yeah.”

Despite the frustration of limited game time, Trafford was measured in his assessment of the season. “It was obviously very tough. Some days were harder than others, but the one thing I wanted to keep doing was keep winning and just improving every day,” he said. “I came out the season having played a part in winning the two trophies that we did. I learned a lot for myself and for going forward in my career.”

He also addressed the moment Donnarumma’s arrival effectively ended his chances of staking a claim for the England shirt this cycle. “If I would have become England’s number one for the tournament, it would have been brilliant. But obviously I didn’t. They ended up signing Gigi, and I didn’t play the majority of the games — and that’s football, isn’t it?”

Trafford also weighed in on a separate controversy surrounding England’s set-piece tactics. FIFA referees were shown footage of Adam Wharton blocking at a corner to allow Ben White to score against Uruguay in March, using it as an example of grappling that officials will clamp down on at the World Cup. England manager Thomas Tuchel has already expressed his displeasure at the side being singled out.

Trafford echoed that sentiment. “If England have been used as an example, maybe it is a bit unfair,” he said. “When the ball comes in I just watch the ball — I don’t know if anyone is grappling or what anyone is doing. By changing the rules they’re looking to change something, but the blocking in the league this year, it is sort of the real first year that it has been looked at closely.”

With Pickford firmly established as England’s first choice, Trafford’s immediate focus will be on securing regular club football next season — a prerequisite, by his own admission, for any realistic tilt at the international No.1 jersey.