Shay Given has backed James Trafford to force his way into a serious England conversation, saying the goalkeeper can push Jordan Pickford all the way. Leeds are set to make Trafford their club-record £40 million plus add-ons signing, while Given's view is that the move could give him the platform to challenge the established England No 1.

Given's view on Trafford

"I'm not shocked to see James Trafford moving to a club like Leeds United. I believe he's already a top goalkeeper. I just wish he was going to Newcastle United this summer because he's brilliant, and he's got a huge future ahead of him," Given told chroniclelive.co.uk.

He was just as direct about the qualities Leeds are buying. "What I love about Trafford is that he's got a real calmness about him when he plays and I think Leeds will be getting a brilliant goalkeeper if that deal gets across the line."

The strongest line came on Pickford. "He'll be pushing Pickford all the way every week at Leeds. There's no doubt about that, and Jordan knows that too," Given said.

Pickford has 7 World Cup appearances in the 2026 season, and his 6.65 average rating underlines why Trafford is being framed as a challenger rather than a replacement. Given is not claiming Trafford is England's No 1 already. He is saying Leeds could put him on that path.

Leeds' rebuild around a record fee

The transfer side is sizeable too. Leeds are set to spend a club-record £40 million plus add-ons on Trafford, and the deal is being described as the first of six potential new arrivals at Elland Road.

That fits where Leeds are right now. They are listed 13th in the current Premier League standings, which is a sign of a side that needs more than one tidy addition. A goalkeeper of Trafford's age and profile is not a whole rebuild on his own, but he does look like the kind of signing around which a summer can be built.

The move is still being framed as edging closer rather than fully done, so Leeds should not be handed too much certainty yet. Even so, Given's endorsement is a useful one for a player whose next step is already being talked about in England terms, not just club terms.

Leeds want Trafford as the face of a bigger window. Given thinks the player himself is good enough to make the Pickford debate interesting.

Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →