Burnley goalkeeper James Trafford can take the Premier League by storm and attain the very prime, in keeping with his England Below-21 coach Joleon Lescott.
Trafford is in line for a top-flight debut on Friday in opposition to previous membership Manchester Metropolis, who allowed him to make the transfer to Turf Moor final month.
Whereas Trafford is barely 20 and has by no means performed greater than Sky Guess League One, he starred for England in the course of the summer season to earn them European Below-21 Championship glory with a surprising stoppage-time penalty-kick save to disclaim Abel Ruiz within the 1-0 win over Spain.
Our new number one⃣ pic.twitter.com/Vl3weI8TLc
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) July 20, 2023
Lescott was a part of Lee Carsley’s employees for the event and is aware of the younger goalkeeper from his time as mortgage supervisor at Metropolis.
TNT Sports activities pundit Lescott mentioned: “James is prepared for the Premier League. He’s prime, he’s prime with temperament, high quality.
“I feel everybody sees the standard however his temperament is he loves it, however nothing fazes him. He’s not bothered by something.
“He mentioned it in his interview after the (Spain) recreation, that he knew he would save a penalty and I genuinely consider him. In no smug means in any respect, I feel he’s simply so comfy together with his high quality. He works extraordinarily exhausting and is so conscious of what it would take to have a prime profession.
“I’ve little question he’ll attain the very prime of the sport.
“Doubtlessly he finally ends up again there (at Man Metropolis). However James will go on to have an distinctive profession.”
Requested if Trafford may make his senior debut for England quickly if he impresses for Vincent Kompany’s new boys, Lescott added: “Yeah, 100 per cent. No matter he achieves, contact wooden barring any unlucky accidents, is not going to shock me.
“I spoke to Vinny earlier than they acquired him and I instructed him I’ve not seen a keeper that composed at that age, so yeah he’s excellent.”
Former Metropolis defender Lescott is equally smitten by how previous team-mate Kompany will fare throughout his maiden marketing campaign within the Premier League.
Kompany and Burnley took the Championship by storm final season, however they’re odds-on to return again to the second tier forward of Friday’s opener.
“Vinny shall be ready and nothing Vinny does will shock me,” Lescott insisted.
“He is not going to depart any stone unturned. I don’t assume it’ll be simple, however Vincent is a really spectacular coach, a really spectacular man, and a really quick learner.
“I’m certain he’ll recognise what permits Burnley to remain within the league and take a look at to try this to the most effective of his capabilities.”
The fixture gods haven’t been variety to Burnley however whereas it doesn’t get a lot more durable than internet hosting the Premier League champions, Lescott feels Pep Guardiola’s facet may wrestle early on after the excessive of clinching the treble with a primary Champions League title in June.
Lescott admitted: “I feel the truth that persons are simply assuming they’ll do this once more, the quadruple and treble, I feel it barely underestimates what they’ve achieved and the way exhausting that’s.
“That might doubtlessly produce a slower begin to the season and (different) groups are raring to go
“I’m certain they’re the group to beat and everyone recognises that, however it may well take a toll what they’ve achieved.”
: TNT Sports activities is the final word house for sports activities followers. You’ll be able to stream TNT Sports activities on the invention+ app and watch on all main TV platforms. This isn’t Simply Sport, That is The whole lot. For more information go to: tntsports.co.uk
