{"id":170,"date":"2026-04-23T22:21:23","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T22:21:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/2026\/04\/23\/liverpool-and-chelsea-eye-james-trafford-move\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T22:21:23","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T22:21:23","slug":"liverpool-and-chelsea-eye-james-trafford-move","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/?p=170","title":{"rendered":"Liverpool and Chelsea eye James Trafford move"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<!-- Article Start --><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\"><strong>Liverpool have expressed interest in signing James Trafford from Manchester City at the end of the season.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The 23-year-old goalkeeper has struggled for regular opportunities at Manchester City, and he needs to leave the club in order to play more often. Trafford has started just three league games for Manchester City this season, and he has played a total of 900 minutes of first-team football in all competitions. <\/p>\n<p><b><i>Want more CaughtOffside coverage? Add us as a <\/i><\/b><b><i><span draggable=\"true\">preferred source on Google<\/span><\/i><\/b><b><i>  to your favourites list for news you can trust<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<h2>Chelsea keen on James Trafford<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Meanwhile, a report from GOAL claims that Chelsea are keen on securing his signature as well. The Blues need to find an upgrade on Robert Sanchez, who has been underwhelming since joining the club. Trafford was one of the best goalkeepers in the country during his time at Burnley, and he could prove to be an excellent addition. He is a young player with a lot of potential, and he could improve further with regular opportunities.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">There is no doubt that Trafford could be an important player for Chelsea next season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Meanwhile, clubs like Tottenham, Newcastle and Aston Villa are all monitoring his situation. It is clear that the 23-year-old will be a player in demand during the summer transfer window. It remains to be seen whether Manchester City is prepared to sanction his departure.<\/p>\n<p><strong>DOWNLOAD THE OFFICIAL CAUGHTOFFSIDE APP FOR ALL THE LATEST &#038; BREAKING UPDATES \u2013 STRAIGHT TO YOUR PHONE! ON <span role=\"presentation\"><u>APPLE<\/u><\/span> &#038; <span role=\"presentation\"><u>GOOGLE PLAY<\/u><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<section class=\"more-stories std-mgn-b\">&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"row\">\n<header class=\"col-s-12 std-mgn-t\">More Stories \/ <span class=\"topic\">Latest News<\/span><\/header>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-190x114.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-245x147.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-320x193.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-414x249.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-630x379.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1624390 has-webp lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-7-17-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1869\" height=\"1125\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1655134 lazyload\" alt=\"Michael Carrick and 'breaking news' banner\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-100-2-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"post-container col-s-4\">\n<p>\t\t\t&#13;<\/p>\n<div class=\"img-cntr\"><picture><source type=\"image\/webp\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-190x114.jpg.webp 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-245x147.jpg.webp 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-320x193.jpg.webp 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-414x249.jpg.webp 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-630x379.jpg.webp 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1495\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6.jpg\" class=\"lazyload wp-image-1622271 has-webp lazyload\" srcset=\"https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-190x114.jpg 190w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-245x147.jpg 245w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-320x193.jpg 320w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-414x249.jpg 414w,https:\/\/icdn.caughtoffside.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/COS-FeaturedHero-Image-Templates-2-6-630x379.jpg 630w\" data-sizes=\"(min-width:1230px) 237px, (min-width:1020px) 190px, (min-width:900px) 280px, (min-width:680px) 30vw, (min-width:414px) 125px, 30vw\"\/><\/source><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>&#13;<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<h2>Reds to sign Trafford?<\/h2>\n<p class=\"p1\">Meanwhile, Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker has been linked with a move to Italy. They will need to replace him properly, and the England goalkeeper could be ideal. The opportunity to play for Liverpool will be exciting for Trafford. He could compete with Giorgi Mamardashvilli for the starting spot next season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Liverpool are among the biggest clubs in the world, and they could provide him with the platform to fight for major trophies as well. It remains to be seen whether Liverpool or Chelsea follows up on their interest with an official proposal to get the deal done.<\/p>\n<p><!-- Article End -->\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Liverpool have expressed interest in signing James Trafford from Manchester City at the end of&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":171,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"pagelayer_contact_templates":[],"_pagelayer_content":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-170","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-chelsea"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=170"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/170\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/171"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=170"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=170"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/playball.com.ng\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=170"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}