James Trafford accepts his return to Manchester City has not worked out as hoped, yet the goalkeeper is set for a major stage at Wembley when City face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final, with Trafford expected to start as Pep Guardiola’s side chase another domestic treble.

The 23-year-old has mainly featured in cup competitions this season, with opportunities limited since Gianluigi Donnarumma arrived and became first choice. Trafford has still produced 10 clean sheets from 14 matches in 2025-26 and helped Manchester City lift the EFL Cup in March.

Trafford’s season now centres on knockout games, as league minutes have almost disappeared. The former Burnley goalkeeper said he values the pressure of these ties, since they decide both his personal involvement and Manchester City’s trophy chances in a campaign where the club remains alive in every domestic competition.

Trafford joined Manchester City’s academy as a youngster before moving to Burnley, then returned to the Etihad Stadium in July after choosing City ahead of Newcastle United. The decision brought a long contract and elite competition, but also led to fewer appearances than Trafford expected when the move was agreed.

“It has obviously been very up and down throughout the season because I haven’t played too much, and obviously I had a decision to make in the summer,” Trafford told BBC Sport. Everyone always thinks when you make decisions [for] the best possible outcome, and obviously it hasn’t been the best possible outcome, but I have just tried to either improve every day and just try and stay positive, try and stay happy.

Trafford stressed the mental challenge of staying ready despite limited action. The goalkeeper explained that daily training standards at Manchester City remain high, and Trafford believes consistent work with Guardiola’s staff and team-mates has helped maintain confidence before key fixtures like the upcoming FA Cup semi-final against Southampton.

Manchester City are contesting an eighth straight FA Cup semi-final, extending a sequence that began in 2018-19. The club reached the final in each of the last three seasons, and no team has previously appeared in four consecutive FA Cup finals, giving added significance to the tie with Southampton.

“Because throughout the year it has been such a big learning experience, so the main thing I didn’t want is for it to impact your general happiness and your general feeling. I have had to learn a lot throughout the year, and I have just tried to work as hard as I can and try to improve and win the day.

“Everyone enjoys the bigger games, the tougher games, but I might be speaking differently if we got beaten in them,” he added. “The cup game you have to win, because if you don’t win, then unless I get in [for] the league which I haven’t so far then there is no game [for me]. It’s obviously a new experience for me because it is the first time I have had this kind of moment where you come in for the cup games, but the good thing about this club and this season is we have progressed in both the cups as far as we possibly could have so far.

Trafford’s situation under Guardiola is clear. Donnarumma controls Premier League matches, while Trafford has become the regular goalkeeper in both domestic cups, benefiting from City’s progress. With a place at Wembley already secured for the semi-final, Trafford views this campaign as demanding yet valuable for long-term development and Manchester City’s wider ambitions.