James Trafford has left the door open for a summer move after admitting that he will need to be first choice to fulfil his long-term England ambitions.
Trafford was speaking from England’s training base in Kansas City as the Three Lions prepare to kick off their World Cup campaign and you can see why Newcastle United – the most prominent of his summer suitors – are so drawn to the goalkeeper.
There’s a confidence about him that belies his young age and he coped with questions about his season of frustration at Manchester City, rules around grappling from set pieces and whether a summer move is on the agenda with the sort of aplomb that has kept him in Thomas Tuchel’s thinking despite playing second fiddle to Gianluigi Donnarumma.
He is one of a number of England players whose future is the subject of speculation and Tuchel has not stepped in to require them to have transfers sorted before the tournament kicks off.
The latest on Nick Pope’s future
For Newcastle that’s not a problem. They want to totally overhaul their goalkeeping department but – with the Magpies’ transfer strategy being one in, one out this summer – they will need clarification on Nick Pope’s future first. He has interest from Hull City among others and would be allowed to leave – either on loan or on a permanent basis.
Newcastle have maintained a good relationship with the Trafford camp and there was no ill will about him joining Manchester City, where he has largely played second fiddle this season. Informal talks – but no contact yet with City – mean the move is back on the agenda.
For Trafford, being No 1 for his club is critical for his long-term ambitions of being England number one.
So does that mean he is thinking about a move? “You never know, whether I move, whether I don’t move, I do what’s right for for me and my career,” he said.
At just 23, this will not be his last major tournament with England. For now he is happy to play a supporting role in the Three Lions’ “mission” to win the World Cup.
“I don’t think there is a different mindset [because I’m not No 1],” he said.
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“I want to win the day, improve every day and no one’s an idiot [here], the whole goal is to win the World Cup.
“So everyone is going to do their best to try and win the World Cup and whether that’s you play every single minute or don’t play a minute everyone wants to support each other to win the World Cup because what a massive achievement [that would be].”
Meanwhile, Newcastle sources are relaxed about head of recruitment Steve Nickson’s potential departure. He has told the club he wants to leave to pursue other opportunities and there’s a feeling his exit was “inevitable” given the restructure of the recruitment department.
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