Manchester City prospect James Trafford has reiterated his belief he will be playing at the top level for club and country one day as he believes he will play "every week" next season.
The 20-year-old City stopper has spent the last 18 months on loan at League One side Bolton Wanderers. There he has picked up valuable experience and played regularly as he became the first-choice stopper for Whites boss Ian Evatt.
In a season-and-a-half with Wanderers, Trafford played 74 times and picked up silverware too after winning the Papa John's Trophy with Bolton at Wembley earlier this year with a 4-0 thrashing of Plymouth Argyle. Trafford's time at Bolton has now come to an end.
The England under-21 international has a long-term deal with City which he signed last summer. He is committed to the Etihad Stadium outfit until the summer of 2027 and the length of the contract suggests the Etihad Stadium side see him as a big part of the club's future.
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He returns to City and a goalkeeping department which includes Pep Guardiola's first choice stopper in the form of Ederson. Stefan Ortega has emerged as number two following his arrival last summer, while veteran Scott Carson has extended his stay at the club to be the club's third choice goalkeeper.
Trafford has spoken frankly in the past of his desire to be number one for both City and England one day. He has vowed that he will be playing regular football in the 2023/24 campaign, which given the strength of City's goalkeeping department at present suggests he could be on the move this summer, potentially on loan to pick up more first team experience.
"My long-term goal is playing in the Champions League and for England," Trafford told the Daily Mail. "If you want to be in the Champions League you've got to be in the top four teams in England.
"Whether it's Man City or any other of the big clubs, I believe I will be at that level. Given the opportunity I'd be able to perform. The most important thing for goalies is to be playing and if you're not playing it is really tough. Next season I'll play every week. I can't sit on the bench."
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