Manchester City’s summer was defined by both change and ambition.
After a disappointing 2024/25 campaign, finishing third and ending the season without a trophy for the first time since Pep Guardiola’s debut year, the club knew reinforcements were needed.
Out went long-serving figures such as Kevin De Bruyne, İlkay Gündoğan and Kyle Walker, taking with them a wealth of experience and winning mentality.
In came Rayan Cherki, Tijjani Reijnders and Rayan Aït-Nouri to refresh the outfield ranks.
But the most intriguing business arrived between the posts.
Ederson, who had been at City since 2017 and redefined the modern goalkeeper with his ball-playing ability, departed on deadline day for Fenerbahçe.
In his place came not one but two new stoppers – James Trafford, a record-breaking signing from Burnley, and Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy’s captain and widely regarded as the world’s best goalkeeper.
City’s reshaped squad has shown flashes of potential, most recently in a hard-fought 1-0 win over Brentford courtesy of Erling Haaland’s ninth goal of the season.
But while Guardiola’s side currently sit fifth, much of the conversation has centred on how the goalkeeping department will evolve.
Why Donnarumma is Man City's best signing for years
The deadline day signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma raised eyebrows across Europe.
City spent £26m to lure the 26-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain, where he had amassed 161 appearances, kept 56 clean sheets, and crucially played a starring role in delivering the club’s first Champions League triumph.
With 76 caps for Italy and the captain’s armband at international level, Donnarumma arrived with pedigree few can match.
His performances for PSG last season – including several man-of-the-match displays in Europe – reaffirmed his reputation as the finest shot-stopper in the world.
Standing at 1.96m, he commands his area with authority, particularly in aerial situations, and is renowned for producing big saves under pressure.
However, what makes this move fascinating is how it fits into Guardiola’s philosophy. For years, the Catalan has prioritised goalkeepers who excel with the ball at their feet.
It was that desire which saw Joe Hart replaced by Claudio Bravo in 2016, and later justified the faith placed in Ederson, who delivered not only saves but four assists last season through his pinpoint distribution.
Donnarumma, by contrast, is less accomplished with the ball. His strength lies in traditional goalkeeping qualities – reflexes, reach and shot-stopping.
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This suggests either a tactical evolution for Guardiola or a pragmatic response to City’s first trophyless season in seven years.
Having witnessed Liverpool lift the title in 2025, Guardiola may have decided solidity and reliability outweigh artistry for the moment.
So far, Donnarumma has featured six times for City this season, keeping three clean sheets and producing a stunning derby save against Manchester United.
All of that has helped to ensure that another of City’s summer signings has already become rather redundant.
Man City star on borrowed time after Donnarumma signing
For James Trafford, the summer promised a fairytale return.
A boyhood City supporter, the 22-year-old rejoined the club from Burnley in a deal worth up to £31m – making him the most expensive British goalkeeper in history.
It was a transfer designed to signal the beginning of a new era, with Trafford earmarked as the long-term heir to Ederson.
His rise had been meteoric. Last season, he was a cornerstone of Burnley’s record-breaking Championship campaign, playing 45 games, keeping 30 clean sheets and conceding just 15 goals.
Such a run of form deservedly saw him named among the PFA Championship team of the Season.
His remarkable consistency included a run of 12 consecutive shutouts and 910 minutes without conceding – feats that attracted serious interest from Newcastle before City swooped in.
Matches Played
45
Minutes
4,050
Save Percentage
84.5%
Penalties Saved
2
Goals Against
15
Since returning, Trafford has been given opportunities, playing three times already this season.
While he impressed against Brighton despite a 2-1 defeat, he also endured difficult moments, most notably a costly error against Tottenham when his misplaced pass led to João Palhinha’s goal.
With Donnarumma arriving weeks later, the writing may already be on the wall.
The statistics tell a curious story. Trafford boasts a save percentage of 84.5% compared to Donnarumma’s 67.6%, concedes fewer goals per 90 (0.36 versus 1.08), and completes more passes at greater progressive distances.
By those metrics, Trafford arguably looks the more Guardiola-esque option.
Yet the Italian has the experience and reputation that will inevitably command the manager’s trust in key fixtures.
At just 22, Trafford’s potential remains enormous, but his pathway to becoming City’s long-term No.1 may already be blocked.
Should Donnarumma cement his place, Trafford could soon be faced with a difficult decision – whether to bide his time and develop at City or seek opportunities elsewhere to avoid stagnation. As GOAL put it, the stopper is likely to be “regretting his life choices” now.
Either way, City fans can take solace in having two highly talented goalkeepers on their books. But in the high-stakes world of Guardiola’s City, only one will truly be trusted to lead them back to the summit.
