Manchester City goalkeeper s position will change, Guardiola activates the buyback clause for 27 million yuan, and the 22-year-old youth training genius returns

Just two years ago, Manchester City sold his youth goalkeeper James Trafford to Burnley for £19 million. Two years later, they took him back to Etihad with a transfer fee of 27 million British Poker!

This is not an ordinary transfer, but a carefully planned "interception" - when Newcastle United offered £27 million for Trafford, Manchester City did not hesitate to activate the priority buyback clause, bringing the 22-year-old back into his arms.

More importantly, Trafford's return this time aims directly at the position of No. 1 goalkeeper. What he wants to challenge is Ederson, the main force that has been unstoppable in the past eight years.

He is the king of clean sheets

Traford's confidence in challenging the situation stems from his amazing performance in the past two years.

Club level: In the English Championship, he set a 71-year league record of 30 games in a single season, with a save success rate of up to 85%!

National Team Level: As the main goalkeeper, he once led the England U21 team and won the 2023 European Youth Championship with a record of not losing a goal!

BBC Sports reported that Trafford's goal is very clear, which is to compete with Ederson for the main position.

Gua's puzzle that he must overcome

However, it is far from enough to be the main goalkeeper under Guardiola. The biggest challenge for Trafford is his footwork and his ability to take the ball.

His pass success rate is about 70%, while Ederson and Ortega are both world's top "goal guards" and their footwork is far better than him.

Burnley, who played for, averaged 55 long passes per game; while Manchester City only had 36. He had to adapt to Guardiola's style of playing with ball and short passes.

Ederson's future is where Ederson's return is like a catfish, stirring up Manchester City's goalkeeper position.

Ederson: His current contract is only one year away and there have been rumors of a transfer to Galatasaray. The arrival of Trafford undoubtedly made his future even more confusing.

Ortega: This world-class No. 2 goalkeeper may be further compressed, and his future is also full of uncertainty.

The magical operation of one stone and three birds

Repurchase of Trafford is Manchester City's smart operation of one stone and three birds

at a time. They not only gained a local goalkeeper with unlimited potential, but also activated the competition for goalkeeper positions, and also showed the outside world their superb transfer strategy of "selling youth training and retaining a backup".

Although Trafford has little experience in the Premier League and his skills need to be polished, the 22-year-old has handed the letter of war to the Brazilian national gate.

Do you think Trafford really has the strength to challenge Ederson's main position? Or is it too early for him to return this time?