James Trafford named against Spain as England No 1 contest reopens
James Trafford started for England against Spain at Wembley on Saturday in the Nations League opener and produced a strong display despite England losing 3-2. The Leeds goalkeeper, a surprise starter, made two key saves in the opening 35 minutes and helped England to a 2-1 half-time lead.
Trafford rejoined Manchester City from Burnley in July last year as the intended replacement for Ederson, who departed after eight seasons, but after three Premier League matches Pep Guardiola signed Gianluigi Donnarumma and installed him as first-choice. Trafford played in every round of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, keeping clean sheets in the finals as City beat Arsenal and Chelsea, and responded to a question about his season by saying, "I won two trophies." He added, "It obviously wasn’t ideal how it panned out but looking back … I got two trophies to my name that I played every game in. You take the positives. You play the cards you’re dealt."
On Saturday Trafford was tested early by the world champions and twice prevented Spain from taking control, including an one-on-one block from Ferran Torres in the 16th minute and a touch to Dani Olmo’s low drive on 35 minutes that went uncredited by the referee. His saves are credited with keeping England in contention and allowing them to lead 2-1 at half-time; Harry Kane then missed a 54th-minute penalty that would have made it 3-1 and England eventually lost 3-2.
Since moving to Leeds in August, Trafford has started the season strongly for his new club, recording 20 saves—the most by any goalkeeper in the competition—and an 85.7% save percentage, having conceded three goals in five Premier League matches. On his reaction to perceived status changes he said, "It’s all an imaginary thing, status and that. It’s how you carry yourself and how you perform." He also stated, "No. Your ability doesn’t change whether you’re playing or not playing. It’s just how you think of it in your head."
The decision to start Trafford has reopened the No 1 debate for England after Jordan Pickford’s long tenure. Pickford has 91 caps and 47 clean sheets and has been first-choice since 2018, but Tuchel’s selection of Trafford against Spain and his announcement that Trafford would also play against Czechia in Prague on Tuesday signal a sharing of minutes. Tuchel said Pickford would return for the final two matches of this Nations League window—against Croatia in Rijeka and Czechia at Wembley.
Pickford’s recent form at the World Cup was questioned within the squad after he was beaten from distance on occasions, including by Enzo Fernández in the semi-final against Argentina when Jude Bellingham could be seen to exclaim: "It’s [in] the middle of the goal." Pickford also conceded at his near post against the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the last 32, and the manager’s rotation invites scrutiny given the limited domestic options.
England’s goalkeeper depth is limited by injuries and club situations: Dean Henderson is injured, prompting Tuchel to call up 36-year-old Jason Steele from Brighton as third-choice; Steele has played once this season and made 10 appearances across the previous two campaigns. Aaron Ramsdale has slipped to fourth-choice at Southampton, Nick Pope is not playing at Newcastle, and Carl Rushworth has struggled at Coventry. Trafford noted the internal competition and camaraderie, saying, "Me and Picks are both northern lads and we get along really well."
Tuchel has confirmed Trafford will start against Czechia in Prague on Tuesday, and Pickford is scheduled to return for England’s matches against Croatia in Rijeka and Czechia at Wembley, keeping selection decisions and the No 1 position active topics for the remainder of this Nations League window.