'I'd be raging' - BBC pundit in disbelief at what Pep Guardiola has done to Man City star
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Credit: Imago
Harri Burton
Tue 16 September 2025 15:20, UK
Pep Guardiola has been nothing short of cut-throat with his transfer decisions as he attempts to get Man City back on the straight and narrow.
Manuel Akanji decided to leave on loan following a conversation about the battle for game time over the summer, with Kevin de Bruyne and Kyle Walker‘s exits marking the start of a new era for the Citizens.
Ilkay Gundogan also left Man City again, joining Galatasaray on a permanent deal, with the likes of Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Cherki arriving to replace the midfielder ahead of the 2025-26 campaign.
The manager was also desperate to change his goalkeeper, with Ederson also allowed to leave after eight years at the club, but that is exactly where Shay Given raised a huge issue.
Credit: Imago
The return of James Trafford was celebrated following his successful two-season spell at Burnley, but just weeks later, Man City agreed a deal to sign Gianluigi Donnarumma from PSG.
“I do feel for Trafford because he was heavily linked with Newcastle United.
My understanding is, well… he’s got the No.1 jersey on his back,” Given said on BBC’s Monday Night Club (15 September).
“‘Promise’ is not the right word in football, or even ‘guarantee’, but I think Trafford is a brilliant goalkeeper.
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“In the year of a World Cup, I think Guardiola’s given him the full sales pitch – ‘You’ll come to Man City, get the No.1 shirt, and be playing Champions League football.
You may even play for England in the World Cup.’
Credit: Imago
“Fastforward two weeks, and Donnarumma has come in from Italy, and he’s parked up for the season.
What does Trafford do now?”
Football Insider understood in July that Newcastle were ready to pay close to £40million for the talented shot-stopper, and it appeared likely that Eddie Howe would get his man.
The reigning Carabao Cup winners attempted to sign the 22-year-old during the last winter transfer window, but no deal materialised before the window slammed shut.
City eventually hijacked the deal, leaving the Magpies squandering to fill yet another position on the pitch after missing out on the likes of Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, Joao Pedro, and Liam Delap.
Now, Trafford has been left in a tricky predicament, with Donnarumma pulling off a world-class save in the Manchester derby.