Ex-Man City goalkeeper James Trafford has opened up about his decision to leave Man City for Leeds United, admitting that a lack of regular playing time affected his mental wellbeing and forced him to seek a fresh challenge.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper returned to City in July 2025, two years after leaving the club for Burnley, hoping to establish himself as Pep Guardiola’s first-choice goalkeeper.
However, his chances were affected by the arrival of Italy international Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain less than six weeks later.
After starting City’s first three Premier League matches of the campaign, Trafford managed just one further league start in the next 35 games, leaving him frustrated by his limited involvement.
Speaking on Football Daily’s The Football Interview on Saturday, Trafford described the experience of being on the sidelines as extremely difficult.
“What a horrendous, horrendous feeling. Not playing,” he said.
“You are ringing a lot of people and just venting. Like most people, you have a [bad] day at work and you ring someone up.
“I ring my dad, I ring my mum, I ring my missus, I ring my mates. I like ringing my mates and we can just have a good talk about it all. It’s quite funny.”
Trafford admitted that regular football had become essential for his personal happiness and professional development.
“I had to play regularly this season for my own mental wellbeing. You just lose yourself not playing. Maybe I’m different, I don’t know, but the feeling of not playing every week, it felt horrendous.
“I just had to play every week this season for that mental feel-good and to keep progressing with my career and edging me closer to achieving the dreams I want to achieve,” he said.
Despite his struggles for playing time, Trafford insisted that his final season at Manchester City was not entirely disappointing.
He helped the club win the League Cup and FA Cup, starting both finals at Wembley, and believes the experience contributed significantly to his development.
“Looking back, I don’t think it was a disappointing season in the end because I learned so much, I improved so much and I won two trophies in one year,” he added.
“There were moments when I was very down, regretting things and feeling disappointed, but looking back, I’m very thankful for the experience. What an incredible year.”
Having moved to Leeds in search of regular first-team football, Trafford is now focused on improving his performances and fulfilling another major ambition: becoming England’s first-choice goalkeeper.
“It’s my aim and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said.
“I always believe that one day I could be. Every day I try to keep improving to put myself in the best position to be England’s number one one day.”
