adminLeeds United have recorded three clean sheets in seven games so far, with James Trafford starting between the posts in every one of them.
Heading into the summer, Karl Darlow’s expired contract left United with an interesting decision to make in the transfer market.
Leeds’ answer was to completely revamp the goalkeeping department, with James Trafford arriving for a club-record £40million fee.
James Trafford earns another well-deserved Leeds United clean sheet against Crystal Palace
There weren’t many positives to take from a rather dull 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace. Overall, it was a disappointing performance.
However, one of the few bright spots for Leeds was another shutout for Trafford in goal. The England international was rarely tested in terms of clear-cut chances, with Ethan Ampadu, Tarik Muharemovic and James Justin all producing crucial last-ditch interventions.
Still, when his moment arrived, Trafford responded.
A free-kick conceded by Ao Tanaka on the edge of the penalty area gave Yeremy Pino an opportunity to test the goalkeeper. Pino struck the ball through a crowded area and directed it towards the side of Trafford’s goal, away from the wall.
Trafford, however, reacted sharply and pushed the effort away with a strong hand.
It certainly wasn’t the most spectacular save you’ll ever witness, and it would have been frustrating had the ball found the net, but how reassuring is it to know that Leeds now have a goalkeeper who handles those routine moments and protects the clean sheet?
Last season, and in the seasons before that, Daniel Farke often couldn’t depend on his goalkeeper to produce when Leeds came under pressure. With any of the previous ‘keepers between the sticks, there’s a good chance we would have gone 0-1 down in that situation.
Against Newcastle, with Leeds leading 2-0, Trafford produced another important stop that turned out to be hugely significant. Harvey Barnes raced through with the chance to reduce the deficit, only for Leeds’ ‘keeper to deny him from close range. Dominic Calvert-Lewin then added a third just minutes later.
Man City regret outlined as Gigi Donnarumma concedes another three while Leeds United celebrate James Trafford
When Leeds brought Trafford in, plenty of neutrals questioned the decision to spend such a substantial fee on what was essentially Manchester City’s backup goalkeeper.
Manchester City supporters, however, may now be looking at the situation differently. Gigi Donnarumma has yet to fully convince Enzo Maresca and the club that allowing Trafford to leave after just one season was the correct decision.
Trafford now has three clean sheets to his name and has conceded only three goals. By comparison, Donnarumma shipped three goals against Sunderland on Sunday. To make matters worse, a major error nearly handed Sunderland a fourth when he failed to come for a cross into the area, only for Ruben Dias to clear the danger off the line.
It is certainly not the first occasion recently where Donnarumma has found himself exposed in the Manchester City goal. At the same time, it only strengthens the argument that Leeds made a shrewd decision in bringing Trafford to Elland Road.
And after his impressive start, it’s easy to understand why Leeds supporters are so pleased with their new goalkeeper.
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