'Horrendous feeling' – James Trafford reveals how bad it got at Man City

Trafford reveals the mental toll of being benched at City after Donnarumma's arrival, saying he needed regular football for his wellbeing.

James Trafford has opened up on his difficult year at Manchester City, where he struggled with limited playing time after the club signed Gianluigi Donnarumma in the same summer he returned from Burnley. Despite starting the first three Premier League matches, Trafford made just one further top-flight appearance in the following 35 games, leading him to seek a move away.

The 24-year-old left City for Leeds in a £45 million transfer last summer and has since become a standout performer in the Premier League. Speaking to Football Daily, Trafford described the experience of not playing as "horrendous" and explained how he coped by talking to family and friends. "I had to play regularly this season for my own mental wellbeing," he said. "You just lose yourself not playing."

Despite the frustration, Trafford acknowledged the value of his final year at City, where he started in both the Carabao Cup and FA Cup final victories. He has since earned England caps, starting in back-to-back Nations League games ahead of Jordan Pickford, and is targeting the England No.1 shirt.