Leeds United paid a club-record fee of £45m to sign James Trafford from Manchester City this summer, and early signs suggest that the 23-year-old would be worth every penny.
He made his debut against Manchester United in a pre-season friendly last week in Dublin and produced a couple of brilliant saves in the first half before he was substituted.
Trafford’s performance against Augsburg at the weekend made Leeds fans excited as the goalkeeper showed his full range of abilities on the ball as the Whites looked to build from the back.
The 23-year-old will start between the sticks when Leeds take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday.
Read More: Brenden Aaronson left stunned by Leeds United signing – “I’m blown away”
talkSPORT presenter makes huge claim on James Trafford
Daniel Farke recently revealed that he was desperate to land James Trafford this summer as he understood the importance of having a top-class number 1 goalkeeper.
talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham was left stunned by Trafford’s ability and distribution skills he showcased against Augsburg in a pre-season friendly at the weekend.
He believes if Pep Guardiola had trusted Trafford over signing Gianluigi Donnarumma last summer, he would have ended his last season at the Etihad by winning another Premier League title.
Durham also insisted that if Trafford was the England number 1, they would have been in the World Cup final.
Adrian Durham said on talkSPORT: “James Trafford has gone to Leeds for £40m.
“I don’t know if you saw the friendly at the weekend, but he was playing like Beckenbauer with the ball at his feet.
“If Pep kept his nerve and gone with Trafford, instead of Donnarumma, City would have won the title.
“I also think had he gone with Trafford, he would have been England’s number 1 for the World Cup, and the equaliser against Argentina would not have been scored.”
Read More: Man City chief makes honest James Trafford admission: “Leeds United are getting…”
He is a massive upgrade on Karl Darlow
Karl Darlow played a big part in bringing some stability to Leeds United’s goalkeeping department over the last two seasons.
He stepped in for Illan Meslier during the promotion run-in and helped make the defence more solid. He found himself doing a similar job last season after Lucas Perri failed to fully convince, once again providing Leeds with a dependable presence between the posts.
However, James Trafford is a different proposition. The 23-year-old has already shown his quality and has plenty of time to develop into a top goalkeeper. With the England international arriving at Elland Road this summer, Daniel Farke was never going to be able to guarantee Darlow a regular starting role.
Leeds have clearly upgraded their number one position, and with Trafford now in place, Darlow won’t be missed at Elland Road.
I’m sure you could have found a better name for Trafford to be acquainted with than game and Champions STEALER Beckenbauer.
Also Mr Durham to a Leeds fan comparing a damn good goalie to the that prat is nothing other than an insult to Trafford.
I did and it appears to be missing.
All I said was, why did Durham have to acquaint Trafford with a game stealing, cheating, Becken something-or-other.
Durham the P**** paid Trafford nothing lass than an insult.