Trafford's England case grows as pundits and team-mates back Leeds keeper

Thursday 12 November 2026 · 21:01 UK time

James Trafford's bid to become England's first-choice goalkeeper is gathering real momentum, with pundits and team-mates lining up to talk up Leeds United's club-record signing.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reports that a Leeds United team-mate who has played alongside both James Trafford and Jordan Pickford believes Trafford is now providing genuine competition for the England No.1 jersey (Yorkshire Evening Post). That sits alongside TeamTalk's piece, which says Trafford has been told by one of England's great former goalkeepers that he is well on course to becoming one of the best in the world, with Daniel Farke's coaching at Leeds credited as a big part of that development (TeamTalk).

Alan Shearer has also had his say, according to LeedsLive, backing Trafford to become the nation's number one and suggesting expectations around the goalkeeper have shifted up a level since his move to Elland Road (LeedsLive).

Elsewhere, LeedsLive carries an interview with James Justin, who discusses his own contract situation under Daniel Farke, his England ambitions, and gives his take on Tarik Muharemovic as well as the reaction to his £8m exit from Leicester City (LeedsLive). While this piece centres on Justin rather than Trafford, it adds to a week of Leeds United players and club business being talked about in an England and ambition context.

Taken together, the Yorkshire Evening Post, TeamTalk and LeedsLive all point the same way: Trafford's performances at Leeds are being noticed well beyond Elland Road, with respected voices in the game suggesting he could be closing in on Pickford's spot between the posts for England. For Leeds fans, it is another sign of the calibre the club now has in that goalkeeping position following his club-record transfer.

Written with the help of AI, using the headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.