James Trafford sent worrying message by Pep Guardiola weeks after £27m move to Man City - as manager drops major Gianluigi Donnarumma hint

Pep Guardiola has hinted that Gianluigi Donnarumma could be Manchester City's goalkeeper for 'many years' in a worrying sign for James Trafford. 

Trafford, 22, re-signed for City earlier this summer in a £27million deal after Guardiola made clear his intentions to move Ederson on. 

The Brazilian had spent eight hugely successful years at the Etihad before sealing a permanent move to Fenerbahce before the end of this summer's transfer window. 

His exit left the door open for Trafford to become City's No 1 but the new recruit's early-season struggles did little to endear him to Guardiola, a manager very particular about his goalkeepers. 

Guardiola made a move for PSG exile Gigi Donnarumma as the window neared its close, eventually sealing a deal for the Champions League winner worth £26m. 

It was a transfer hailed by pundits, with the former AC Milan 'keeper proving his undoubted quality on his debut against Manchester United on the weekend with a phenomenal save to keep out a Bryan Mbuemo volley. 

But while Donnarumma's signing will no-doubt boost a Man City side who failed to reach their usual heights last season, his incoming has been a huge blow to Trafford.

With the Cityzens hosting Napoli in their first European fixture of the season on Thursday, it's highly likely that Donnarumma will retain his place, leaving the Englishman relegated to No 2. 

Guardiola seemingly confirmed such in his pre-match press conference, telling reporters: 'I would say in the last decade we've always had incredible keepers. 

'Ederson made an incredible job, and the other keepers who helped us too. 

'Gigi [Donnarumma], with his age at 26, comes for many years and of course he's a top class player.'

Trafford was afforded just three Premier League appearances before being brutally dropped by Guardiola.

The Spaniard however reassured the young shot-stopper that he will get chances to play this season despite his early-season struggles. 

Comparing Trafford and Donnarumma before the Manchester derby, the City boss told reporters: 'I will not demand that Gigi does something he is not comfortable with. We didn't take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality. We have the potential with the keepers that we have to use them.

'He is so tall, he is so huge. He is a big presence on the big stages. He did it in the Champions League last season. He is going to concede goals but all the while we will try and help him.

'James Trafford is the keeper for Man City, the keepers we can only have one. We have a season with many games and everyone will be involved.' 

After the Napoli game on Thursday evening, City face a difficult trip to Arsenal on the weekend before travelling to Huddersfield in the Carabao Cup next midweek, where Trafford's next start may well come. 

Pep Guardiola's side face a tough Champions League draw, with fixtures against both Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund to come.