James Trafford will start in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final against Arsenal on Sunday, but manager Pep Guardiola has not ruled out the goalkeeper leaving the club at the end of the season. The 27-year-old, who returned to the Etihad Stadium from Burnley last summer, had previously expressed uncertainty about his position in the squad, stating in February that he “didn’t expect” to be behind Gianluigi Donnarumma in the pecking order. Guardiola addressed Trafford’s future during a press conference, emphasizing the importance of players focusing on their current role. “They have to be here to do the best they can do and after we will see what happens at the end of the season,” the manager said. “The important thing is they have to be ready.” While Trafford’s inclusion in the starting XI for the Wembley clash was confirmed, Guardiola left the door open for potential changes, reflecting the competitive nature of the squad. The Carabao Cup final will mark Trafford’s first major final with City, adding pressure to perform. The match also holds significance for the Premier League title race, as City and Arsenal are set to face each other at the Etihad in April. Guardiola acknowledged the potential impact of a Carabao Cup win on the league standings but remained cautious about its direct effect on the title battle. “I don’t know,” he said, citing the challenge of balancing success in one competition with performance in another. The manager highlighted the difficulty of maintaining form across multiple competitions, noting that a strong result in the Carabao Cup could be offset by struggles in the league. “We can win on Sunday and then be bad in the league,” he said, referencing past experiences where short recovery periods between competitions tested teams’ ability to adapt.#arsenal #pep_guardiola #manchester_city #carabao_cup #james_trafford
