According to The Sun, Chelsea have identified Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford as a viable option and want to add him to their ranks. The Premier League are discussing his acquisition and an official bid is very much on its way.
James Trafford’s journey so far
James Trafford moved to Manchester City after plying his trade with a couple of clubs. However, he failed to break into the first team and was loaned out to multiple clubs. In the summer of 2023, he finally made a permanent switch to Burnley for a £15m transfer fee.
Trafford is a good shot-stopper with great reflexes and strong hands. He is effective at blocking both close and long-range shots. However, his ball distribution often comes under the radar. The player surely needs to improve his long passes to become more effective.
The English goalkeeper’s debut season with Burnely was full of frustration. He conceded 62 goals in just 28 games and managed to keep only two clean sheets. His side also got relegated as they finished 19th in the points table this season.
Should Chelsea sign James Trafford?
Despite all the facts, James Trafford is the subject of interest from Chelsea. It’s quite understandable as the club are not satisfied with Robert Sanchez‘s inconsistent performances. Hence, they want to bring in a fresh goalkeeper to secure the goalpost for the next campaign.
The Blues are also linked with Jordan Pickford but the acquisition of Trafford seems more realistic for now. The latter will be viable and cost around £20m. It will be a better option as the club also need to invest in other sections of the squad.
However, Chelsea will have to beat Newcastle United in the race as the latter club have also registered their interest in luring away the 21-year-old goalkeeper.
