Ex-Man City goalkeeper James Trafford has shared why he left Manchester City for Leeds United. He said not playing regularly affected his mental health and pushed him to look for a new challenge.
The 24-year-old goalkeeper returned to City in July 2025, two years after leaving for Burnley. He hoped to be Pep Guardiola’s main goalkeeper.
But things changed when Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma joined from Paris Saint-Germain just six weeks later.
After starting the first three Premier League matches, Trafford only got to start once more in the next 35 games. This left him feeling frustrated by how little he played.
Speaking on Football Daily’s The Football Interview on Saturday, Trafford said being on the bench was very hard for him.
“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.”
Trafford said playing regularly was important for his happiness and growth as a player.
“I had to play regularly this season for my own mental wellbeing. You just lose yourself not playing. Maybe I’m different, I don’t know, but the feeling of not playing every week, it felt horrendous.
“I just had to play every week this season for that mental feel-good and to keep progressing with my career and edging me closer to achieving the dreams I want to achieve,” he said.
Even with his limited chances, Trafford said his last season at Manchester City wasn’t all bad.
He helped the team win the League Cup and FA Cup, starting both finals at Wembley. He believes this experience was key to his growth.
“Looking back, 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 added.
“There were moments when I was very down, regretting things and feeling disappointed, but looking back, I’m very thankful for the experience. What an incredible year.”
After moving to Leeds to get regular first-team action, Trafford is now focused on improving and chasing another big goal: being England’s main goalkeeper.
“It’s my aim and it’s something I’ve always dreamed of,” he said.
“I always believe that one day I could be. Every day I try to keep improving to put myself in the best position to be England’s number one one day.
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