Goalkeeper played a poorly judged pass that gifted Tottenham a second goal at the Etihad
Pep Guardiola has defended his decision to start James Trafford in Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham.
The 22-year-old goalkeeper impressed on his debut last week against Wolves but was at fault for Spurs’ second goal on Saturday, playing a poorly judged pass to the under-pressure Nico Gonzalez that ultimately gifted Joao Palhinha an easy finish.
City went on to lose 2-0 at the Etihad, a chastening setback after an excellent start to the season.
“James played a good first game,” said Guardiola. “When I make a decision in the first part of the season, the first move, just for the keeper, keeper is a special position, of course, to have more consistency in the goal.
“But for all the players, when you play one or two games everybody thinks this is the starting line up now, this is the player who is going to play.
“And I learned for many years that this amount of games, everybody will play.”
Guardiola’s senior option in goal, Ederson, has been linked with a move to Galatasaray following a period of decline in his performance. If Ederson were to leave, City could still choose to bring in a goalkeeper, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Gianluigi Donnarumma available.
Guardiola said: “We will see. We have one week with the club. We talk with the players, agents. We will see.”
