James Trafford or Gianluigi Donnarumma: Who starts in the Carabao Cup Final?

While Gianluigi Donnarumma remains the established No.1 for Premier League and Champions League fixtures, the cup competitions have belonged to James Trafford.

The 23-year-old Englishman – who returned to the club in a £31 million deal from Burnley during the last summer transfer window – has used the Carabao Cup and FA Cup runs to prove he is far more capable than being just a backup.

Trafford has been flawless so far, keeping five clean sheets and conceding only 10 goals across his 12 appearances this season, and recently named Carabao Cup Player of the Round for his heroics in the semi-final win over Newcastle and the six crucial saves to preserve City’s lead.

His statistical profile remains of a high standard despite limited game time at the Etihad Stadium, currently boasting a 73.3 per cent save percentage and preventing 1.89 expected goals, proving he has more than the required abilities for a high-stakes final.

Starting James Trafford at Wembley would certainly be a signal of trust from manager Pep Guardiola, at a time when many are continuing to speculate whether the England international will still be at the club come the start of next season owing to his opportunities.

From a stylistic point of view in particular, Trafford’s exceptional distribution and 72 per cent pass accuracy makes him an ideal fit to handle Arsenal’s aggressive front three, expected to consist of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli, and Viktor Gyökeres.

While some fans have suggested Gianluigi Donnarumma should be drafted in for the final stage of the competition owing to his own unrivalled big-game experience, the sentiment within the club is likely that James Trafford has more than earned this start.

In a season defined by transition and the emergence of more youthful profiles, having a Manchester City academy graduate between the posts at Wembley will also be a landmark moment for the club’s own development pathway.

There is an opportunity here for James Trafford to make history, and perhaps a successful day out at Wembley and a first major trophy back at the club could go a long way to persuading him that his future lies at the Etihad Stadium after all.