Manchester City were happy to let touted goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu leave for Southampton in 2022 in part because they had James Trafford coming through.
A year later it took Trafford’s desire to play, a £19million Burnley club-record deal and a buy-back clause to help convince them to sell. Trafford, 21, has faced criticism in a difficult top-flight baptism but his heroics backed up why he was so highly thought of at City. His 10 saves were crucial to Burnley earning a point.
Adam Lallana, who coached Trafford with England Under 21s, and Brighton keeper Jason Steele were among those who congratulated him at full-time.
Burnley boss Vincent Kompany said England are lucky to have Trafford and that his squad is full of ‘little gems’, with scorer Wilson Odobert another.
He explained: ‘We don’t have the Saudi Arabia sovereign wealth fund behind us so the only way to increase the size of the club is to have players other teams want. When that revenue comes in we can strengthen again and go up and up.’
