Would Leeds move help Trafford oust Pickford from England team?

What the report says

BBC Sport reported that James Trafford is nearing a £40m transfer from Manchester City to Leeds United, a move that could give the 23-year-old regular exposure at a prominent Premier League club and strengthen his case in England’s goalkeeper succession debate. Trafford made 17 appearances for City last season, only four of them in the Premier League, after returning from Burnley for £27m and then falling behind Gianluigi Donnarumma following the Italian’s arrival from Paris St-Germain.

The prospective Leeds fee would place Trafford among the costliest goalkeepers in football history, behind only Kepa Arrizabalaga, Alisson and Andre Onana, according to the BBC’s comparison. His strongest senior season came with Burnley in the Championship, where he conceded 16 goals in 45 games, kept 29 clean sheets and played a major role in promotion in 2024-25. His earlier Premier League spell at Burnley was more difficult, with 67 goals conceded in 28 matches before he lost his place.

The England context is Jordan Pickford’s long hold on the No. 1 shirt. Since the 2018 World Cup, the Everton goalkeeper has won 91 caps, kept 44 clean sheets and played 33 major tournament matches. BBC Sport noted that Pickford will be 34 when Euro 2028 begins, but he remains the established option after another World Cup run and has far more top-flight experience than Trafford.

Trafford has England pedigree, including the 2023 Under-21 European Championship title without conceding a goal, and has two senior caps. However, the BBC’s analysis said Premier League data still favours Pickford, leaving Trafford needing sustained elite-level performances to challenge him.