Exclusive: James Trafford Will Be England’s Future Goalkeeper Says Ashley Barnes

Ashley Barnes knows an international goalkeeper when he sees one.

And the Burnley striker reckons team mate James Trafford is destined to emulate ex-Clarets, Tom Heaton, Joe Hart and Nick Pope by winning senior England honours.

‘Traff’ has been ripping up the clean sheet record books this season as Scott Parker’s mean machine pushes for a quick return to the Premier League.

Burnley’s 4-0 rout of Sheffield Wednesday at Turf Moor last Friday was his 12th successive shut out and his 24th of the season equalling the Championship best held by Paddy Kenny (then QPR) and John Ruddy (then Wolves).

The farmer’s son from Cumbria was called up by then interim boss Lee Carsley for England’s Nation League games against Greece and the Republic of Ireland last year.

But Carsley went for a safe pair of hands with Jordan Pickford leaving Trafford an unused substitute.

However, Trafford’s performances in the Championship and rumoured summer move to Newcastle United are keeping him in the spotlight. 

It wouldn’t be a major surprise if he is a contender for a place in new boss Thomas Tuchel’s first squad for a friendly against Albania at Wembley on March 21.

Barnes, 35, has played with and against plenty of five-star goalies in his 18-year pro career.

“He’s definitely up there,” says Barnes, regarding the 22-year-old shot stopper who signed for Manchester City seven years ago but didn’t make a senior start for Pep Guardiola’s side.

Trafford had a brief loan spell at Accrington Stanley before coming to prominence at Bolton where he helped the Trotters win the EFL Trophy against Plymouth in 2023.

ANOTHER LEVEL

In an exclusive interview with SportsBoom.com, he added: “I've obviously been in the changing room where I've had the likes of Tom Heaton, Joe Hart and Nick Pope; so all international goalies."

“’Traff’s’ just another one that I can add to the list to say how good he really is. He is something special and has got every attribute."

“I can’t see why not he can’t be in that starting XI for the national team” adds Barnes of Trafford’s England senior chances. 

“For him though at the moment, he is just concentrating on playing week in, week out getting us out of this division. But he is one for the future, for sure."

“He’s a great kid. He has been phenomenal between the sticks but as a unit the back four or five have been brilliant as a unit."

“First and foremost, we defend as a team and attack as a team. That's just everyone's way of working here."

“You have to be on it every day otherwise you're not going to play. That's down to the manager to have that competition."

“So, obviously it's a big team collective but it always helps when you do have a good goalie in the net.”

And while Trafford has been denying a plethora of second tier strikers this season Barnes joked: “Of course I am scoring against him all the time in training."

"But don’t tell him that, he will get upset.”