Manager not sure whether the 22-year-old will start against Brighton on Sunday
Pep Guardiola has revealed James Trafford needed support off the pitch after his mistake in Manchester City’s defeat to Tottenham.
Trafford play a poorly-judged pass to Nico Gonzalez to gift Tottenham their second goal in last weekend’s 2-0 loss at the Etihad, prompting scrutiny over his position.
The goalkeeper, signed from Burnley only this summer, has started both of City’s opening fixtures but faces competition from Ederson, who returned to the bench after missing the win over Wolves.
Guardiola said: “Always have arms around the shoulder, always,” Guardiola said when asked about his message to Trafford. “We take care of them. What happened didn’t belong just to James, what happened in the second goal against Spurs.
“He’s a huge personality. He’s concerned – I wouldn’t like it if he wasn’t – but we’re here to help him. We’re here to support them.”
Ederson has been Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper for the past eight seasons but began to show lapses last season, and Trafford’s performance against Tottenham has cast doubt over his reliability. But Guardiola suggested that performances as well as events off the pitch over the coming weeks will determine who holds the position.
“Before the international transfer window is closed, everything is possible,” said Guardiola. “It’s as simple as that. After that, we’re going to play [Manchester] United and Champions League and Arsenal. After that everything will be more clear and now we take a decision. It depends on the performance and it depends on many reasons.”
