The Rise of James Trafford: From Man City Youth Product to Penalty Hero - A Future England No 1 Ready to Set Burnley Ablaze

James Trafford's save from Abel Ruiz's last-minute penalty added an exhilarating finale to England's victory over Spain in the European U21 Championship final. However, this outcome came as no shock to Trafford, as he had already confidently informed his friends about his intention to stop a penalty kick on the morning of the match. This statement, made during his post-match interview at the Batumi Arena, garnered significant attention nationwide.

Bolton Wanderers' loan club members were already well-acquainted with these comments.

"He would frequently repeat those words during our warm-up sessions," chuckles Matt Gilks, the goalkeeping coach at Bolton. "That's just Traff being Traff. He exudes confidence and truly believes in his skills. And he certainly delivers on it."

Pep Guardiola witnessed this firsthand when he decided to put Trafford's confidence to the test in 2020. The Manchester City manager dared the young academy talent to save his penalty during a post-training shootout. To the amusement of everyone present, Trafford successfully stopped the shot.

Recalling the incident, Trafford shared how Pep said, "If you save it, you can have anything you want." With a touch of humor, he responded by asking, "Can I start playing this weekend?"

Trafford's wish was not fulfilled, but now he has the opportunity to play in the Premier League.

With his remarkable penalty save to secure the trophy against Spain, followed by his quick reaction to block the rebound, Trafford ended the Young Lions' 39-year wait and became the first goalkeeper in the competition's history to maintain six consecutive clean sheets.

The wider public was also made aware of his immense potential. Trafford, who is currently on the verge of becoming the third most expensive British goalkeeper in history with a £19m transfer to Vincent Kompany's newly promoted Burnley, envisions himself as the future England No 1 at the senior level. Those who are close to him have complete faith in his abilities.

Gilks, a former goalkeeper turned coach, expresses utmost belief in Trafford's abilities, stating, "Without a doubt, he has the potential to accomplish it." Even to this day, Trafford consistently assures Gilks through text messages that nothing will hinder his journey to becoming England's top goalkeeper. With his unwavering determination, Trafford has firmly set his sights on that objective, leaving no doubt in Gilks' mind that he can achieve such heights.

James, a 20-year-old with a farming background in Cumbria, initially played as a midfielder before transitioning to the goalkeeper position during his youth at Carlisle. Although he has yet to play at a level higher than League One, James possesses a diverse skill set, with many exceptional qualities. Gilks, who has accumulated 25 years in the game, attests to James' remarkable abilities, emphasizing that he truly stands out among the hundreds of goalkeepers encountered throughout his career.

His athletic abilities, the explosive power he demonstrates when leaping, and his quick reflexes are all scrutinized closely. Equally important is his temperament. Following England U21's victory over Spain, Lee Carsley, the team's manager, praised his exceptional mindset. It is evident not only in his unwavering self-confidence but also in his remarkable resilience in the face of challenges.

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Gilks compliments James Trafford’s ability to handle setbacks, noting that unlike himself at a younger age, James does not sulk or isolate himself for an extended period. Instead, he quickly moves on to the next match or training session.

Trafford displayed his resilience upon his arrival at Bolton during the 2021/22 season. Despite a setback in his previous loan spell with Accrington Stanley where he lost his position in the team, the young player reacted differently to the experience. Instead of being disheartened, he felt motivated to prove himself and believed he had more potential to showcase, as Gilks explains.

Trafford's arrival made an immediate impact at Bolton. The team had previously suffered four consecutive losses in League One, but with him in goal, they managed to win the next four matches without conceding a single goal.

Trafford featured in every match for the remainder of that campaign and continued to be a consistent presence throughout the entirety of last season. Notably, he achieved the remarkable feat of keeping a club-record nine consecutive clean sheets at home from December to February. His stellar performances played a crucial role in Bolton's triumph in the Football League Trophy at Wembley.

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James Trafford lifted the Football League Trophy with Bolton last season

According to Gilks, when he arrived, he had a refreshing presence. He was a skilled goalkeeper who exuded confidence in and around the penalty area, as well as being a positive influence in the team. While we did work on refining certain aspects of his game, our main focus was helping him grasp the dynamics of the league.

Playing academy football for Manchester City provides a controlled environment with little chaos. However, facing robust players in League One with exceptionally powerful shots is a completely different challenge.

"The atmosphere was filled with excitement and activity. The strikers relentlessly demolished everything in their path. Although he initially had to become accustomed to this chaos, as he played more games, his confidence in himself, the team, and vice versa, flourished.

In the end, it was an ideal match."

That's not to imply that there were no challenges. Gilks thoroughly enjoyed witnessing Trafford's growth and they still maintain communication now - "I was ecstatic, jumping around my living room, when he made that save against Spain" - but the determined young player needed some guidance from time to time.

"He could be a bit rebellious," Gilks chuckles. "Occasionally, he wanted to do things differently from what I had instructed. He would spend half an hour kicking balls or even start taking penalties. There were days when I had to keep him indoors or send him back in."

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James Trafford had two stints on loan with Bolton. "Managing him in that aspect was necessary, but I understood that it was his way of expressing and enjoying himself, and I could relate to that. It required some compromise, but because we relied on him and believed in his skills, we allowed some flexibility."

Gilks said that James demonstrated his ability to play through the lines, find teammates, and make passes off defenders, showcasing the skills he had learned at Manchester City. His importance was heightened due to Bolton's commitment to build from the back under manager Ian Evatt, and his proficiency with the ball adds to his appeal for Kompany and Burnley.

These qualities were apparent in England's triumphant European U21 Championship campaign and also during Trafford's time with Bolton. Like Ederson at Manchester City, Trafford also possesses the ability to accurately distribute the ball over longer distances.

In fact, besides the impressive saves and clean sheets that won over everyone at Bolton, Trafford also provided three assists. This makes him the goalkeeper with the highest number of assists in England's top-four leagues since the beginning of the 2021/22 season.

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It is just another reason to be excited about his future.

"He has achieved success in Manchester City's academy, as well as with Bolton and England U21s. However, with continuous dedication, guidance, and proper training, he has the potential to constantly improve," states Gilks.

"The transition from League One to the Premier League is a significant leap, both mentally and in terms of skill level. It will undoubtedly pose a considerable challenge for a 20-year-old. Nevertheless, James possesses the necessary talent and, more importantly, the strength of character to overcome any hurdles."

"When he sets a target in his head, he goes after it."

From Bolton and Batumi to the Premier League, James Trafford will be going after the England No 1 shirt next.