Pep Guardiola Urged to Sign Gianluigi Donnarumma After James Trafford Error in Man City’s Defeat to Tottenham
When the Etihad crowd filed out after Manchester City’s surprise 2-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur, most of the chatter wasn’t about Joao Palhinha’s neat finish or Spurs’ clinical counterattack. Instead, all eyes were on James Trafford, the young goalkeeper whose costly mistake gifted Ange Postecoglou’s side their crucial second goal.
The Italian press, never slow to stir a transfer storm, pounced on the moment. Gazzetta dello Sport wasted no time in urging Pep Guardiola to act decisively, running with the headline: “Guardiola, what are you waiting for to sign Gigio?” Their plea is clear—if Manchester City want to keep their ambitions sky-high, Gianluigi Donnarumma should be their man between the sticks.
James Trafford’s Painful Lesson Against Tottenham
Trafford, a £27 million summer signing from Burnley who came through City’s own academy, was supposed to represent the club’s future. The plan was simple: return to Manchester, learn from Ederson, and slowly stake a claim for the No.1 spot. But football rarely follows carefully drawn blueprints.
On Saturday, Trafford’s attempt to play out from the back went horribly wrong. Pressed near the edge of his penalty area, he hesitated, misjudged the pass, and gifted Palhinha the easiest of finishes. The Etihad groaned, Spurs celebrated, and suddenly the narrative shifted.
Would Donnarumma, Italy’s Euro 2020 hero and PSG’s Champions League-winning shot-stopper, ever have made such a mistake? The Italian media don’t think so. And that’s why they’re pushing Guardiola to act before the transfer window shuts.
Donnarumma: A Goalkeeper at His Peak
At just 26 years old, Donnarumma already feels like a veteran. He debuted for AC Milan as a teenager, conquered Europe with Italy at Wembley, and recently helped Paris Saint-Germain lift their first-ever Champions League crown. Few goalkeepers in world football command the penalty area with such authority.
Standing 6’5”, Donnarumma is not only physically imposing but also tactically astute. His reflexes are lightning quick, and while critics have occasionally questioned his distribution, he has grown more comfortable in possession—a vital skill in Guardiola’s system. For a manager who demands his team dominate every phase of the game, having a goalkeeper confident with the ball at his feet is non-negotiable.
The Numbers Behind a Potential Deal
Fabrizio Romano, the transfer oracle himself, reported that PSG are open to selling Donnarumma. Their initial demand was around €50 million (£43m), though most insiders believe a deal would be struck for less. With personal terms already agreed in principle, the only real questions are whether City move quickly enough and whether Ederson’s future has already been decided behind closed doors.
If Ederson stays, Donnarumma’s arrival would be complicated. But if the Brazilian is sold—perhaps to Saudi Arabia or back to Brazil—then Guardiola could slot Donnarumma straight into his starting XI without hesitation.
What About Trafford?
The signing of Donnarumma would, of course, spell a different reality for Trafford. Just weeks after returning to Manchester with dreams of competing for the top spot, he could find himself pushed down the pecking order. For a young goalkeeper, confidence is everything, and mistakes like Saturday’s can weigh heavily.
Still, there’s another way to look at it. Trafford could learn behind two of the world’s very best—Ederson and Donnarumma—and develop at his own pace. The pressure of being City’s No.1 might be too much, too soon. A season or two as a backup might allow him to grow without the glare of constant scrutiny.
Guardiola’s Dilemma
Pep Guardiola has always been ruthless when it comes to goalkeepers. His decision to replace Joe Hart with Claudio Bravo, and later Bravo with Ederson, showed that he won’t hesitate to act if he feels his system demands it.
The question now is whether he believes Trafford can recover from this early wobble, or whether Donnarumma represents the kind of world-class solution City need to keep pace with Europe’s elite. The Italian press clearly think the latter—and they’ve not been shy about telling him so.
The Clock Is Ticking
Manchester City face Brighton on August 31, just a day before the transfer window slams shut. By then, Guardiola may already have made his choice. Donnarumma is described by Gazzetta as “much more than a ghost” haunting the Etihad—he’s a very real possibility.
If City want to avoid more slip-ups like the one against Spurs, bringing in a goalkeeper of Donnarumma’s calibre could be a decisive move. But every decision comes with its consequences: the potential loss of Ederson, the stunting of Trafford’s immediate progress, and the financial hit of another big signing.
A Defining Few Days Ahead
City’s defeat to Tottenham might only be a blip, but in the high-stakes world of Premier League and Champions League football, such blips matter. Guardiola has built his reputation on being proactive, not reactive. Now, with Donnarumma waiting for a new challenge and Trafford learning harsh lessons, the pressure is on.
Italian headlines may not dictate Guardiola’s choices, but they reflect a growing sense in European football: if Manchester City truly want to dominate, there can be no weak links. Donnarumma would not only bring security but also an aura of invincibility—a trait every great City side under Guardiola has possessed.
As the window edges closer to its dramatic conclusion, one question lingers: will Pep Guardiola stick with his young prospect, or will he listen to the calls from Italy and sign the goalkeeper many still consider the best of his generation?
Either way, the next two weeks could shape City’s season—and perhaps Trafford’s career—for years to come.
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