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Newcastle have been closely linked with James Trafford for a very long time now and is clearly a participant Eddie Howe actually admires.
The Mail’s Craig Hope just lately reported that there’s an ‘expectation’ Trafford will develop into a Newcastle participant this summer time, no matter whether or not or not Burnley are promoted, so he actually seems like one to look at and a Toon goal properly price discussing.
I’m assured he would already be a Newcastle United participant if it wasn’t for the entire PSR points in the summertime which led to Vlachodimos signing. There are loads of totally different opinions of the signing of James Trafford however I for one can be very excited by the prospect of the transfer, I’ll clarify why.
James Trafford is a 22-year-old English goalkeeper for Burnley, he’s a Man Metropolis academy graduate, he has had such excessive reward from friends and coaches who consider he has a world class potential.
He additionally had a really profitable mortgage transfer at Bolton earlier than becoming a member of Burnley, the place he had essentially the most clear sheets in a season than any Bolton keeper.
The Clarets No.1 has already had a name as much as the England senior squad and I’m positive all of us heard of his unbelievable Underneath-21 event with England the place they received the Euros, conceding zero objectives as Trafford saved a penalty within the final minute of the ultimate.
After a baptism of fireplace within the Premier League final season the place he was maybe uncovered an excessive amount of too quickly, Trafford has been excellent within the second tier this season. He’s just lately gone on an unbelievable streak with out conceding a purpose within the Championship, conserving 12 clear sheets earlier than Cardiff ended this unbelievable streak earlier this month.
At 6ft 5′, the Carlisle-born stopper has the peak and attain required to get to pictures and declare crosses. He has an excellent goalkeeping profile and has already achieved lots in his quick profession, as highlighted above.
Trafford is well-known for being a modern-day keeper, that is proven along with his ball taking part in skill. He has an ideal vary of passing. His lengthy passing is a few of the greatest I’ve seen from a keeper, his method is superb.
One other facet of his sport I really like is his understanding of the ball in deep areas. Underneath Vince Kompany he would usually dictate the construct up areas and would see him pointing and organising the form in these areas. At such a younger age to be that sensible on the ball could be very spectacular.
His sweeping skill – a key space of Nick Pope’s sport – is nice as properly. He’s fast off his line and isn’t afraid to dive at an opponent’s toes to retrieve the ball. Crucially, his timing of when to go is nice as properly. He ranks within the 78th percentile for defensive actions exterior the penalty space this season (through Fbref).
You’ll be able to inform he’s assured in his ball taking part in skill as a result of he usually makes an attempt to bait the press by placing his studs on the ball to attempt to bait the attacker in. That is one thing Howe has been attempting to slowly implement into our construct up play, so Trafford would massively assist us in that facet.
A number of criticisms I’d have can be his move choice is usually a bit dangerous, he generally places his teammates in awkward positions or performs an extended ball when it isn’t wanted. I additionally assume his cross claiming may be inconsistent, the place he’ll generally drop the ball or not be bodily sufficient, however that is comprehensible from a younger keeper who will fill out in time.
Lastly, I believe his shot stopping is robust however might enhance, he generally pushes the ball into unhealthy positions or chooses the flawed sort of save however once more this can enhance with expertise.
In conclusion, I believe Trafford can be a high signing. This can be a keeper with world class potential, he has spectacular expertise for such a younger goalie, his profile is thrilling and with the right teaching he might be unstoppable.
A keeper of his age is sort of a 19-year-old outfield participant. We’re paying for potential, not present skill, and Trafford’s potential is so excessive.
