James Trafford has described his final season at Manchester City as "horrendous," revealing the toll that a lack of first-team football took on him — before he secured a record-breaking move to Leeds United last summer.

City had re-signed Trafford in July 2025, two years after the academy graduate left for Championship side Burnley. But within six weeks of his return, Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived from Paris St-Germain. The Italy international, who had just helped the French club lift the Champions League, immediately claimed the number-one shirt, leaving Trafford largely sidelined.

After starting City's opening three matches of the season, the 24-year-old made just one further Premier League start across the 35 games that followed Donnarumma's arrival.

The mental toll of the bench

Speaking on Football Daily's The Football Interview, Trafford was candid about how difficult that period was. "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."

Despite the limited opportunities, Trafford managed to contribute meaningfully — starting both cup finals at Wembley as City won the League Cup and FA Cup. Looking back, he has chosen to frame the season as a positive chapter. "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 said. "Looking back, I'm very thankful for the experience. What an incredible year."

England ambitions remain alive

Trafford was included in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup, though he did not feature in a match. He described the experience as "incredible" and says it only sharpened his hunger. "I didn't play, but it is what it is," he said. "I didn't expect to play when I got called up. I knew what my role was, but you just take as much experience as possible, learn from it and keep trying to win the day."

His long-term goal, however, is unambiguous. "It's my aim and it's something I've always dreamed of," he said, when asked about becoming England's number-one goalkeeper. "Every day I try to keep improving to put myself in the best position to be England's number one one day."

Making his mark at Leeds

Trafford joined Leeds United in a deal worth up to £45 million — a record fee for a British goalkeeper. Since arriving at Elland Road, he has started all nine of the club's Premier League matches this season, keeping three clean sheets. Only Brighton and Arsenal have conceded fewer goals than Daniel Farke's side, who sit 12th in the table, just two points outside the European places.

Trafford is bullish about Leeds' prospects. "I just think it's an incredible club. You look at the fanbase, everyone here — it's an incredible place. It's just somewhere that's only going and getting better," he said. "We'd love to get back into Europe. The main goal is just to keep on improving."