Man City under pressure as two players ask to leave in January

December 3, 2025 Oliver Obel

City entered the season with one of the busiest overhauls in the Premier League. The club strengthened several areas with the arrivals of Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri, but the most dramatic changes came in goal.

The Daily Mail reported that Donnarumma completed a deadline day move from Paris Saint-Germain for roughly £26 million. His arrival rounded off a crowded summer of goalkeeping recruitment that had already seen the return of Trafford from Burnley for £27 million and the addition of Marcus Bettinelli from Chelsea.

The rebuild followed the departure of long-serving Brazilian goalkeeper Ederson, who moved to Fenerbahce. His exit created a rare moment of uncertainty in a position that had been stable for years, but it also contributed to the current logjam and the growing frustration among those now sitting behind Donnarumma.

Trafford’s hopes meet a sudden reality check

James Trafford rejoined City believing he would have a genuine opportunity to secure the starting spot and strengthen his case for a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. At 23, this phase of his career is considered crucial, and City’s pitch to him included the promise of meaningful minutes and long-term development.

However, the early weeks of the season delivered a harsh reality. Trafford endured a few inconsistent performances, and that opened the door for Guardiola to accelerate Donnarumma’s integration into the starting XI. From that point forward, Trafford struggled to earn significant playing time.

The Daily Mail reports that the young keeper is now open to leaving again in January, potentially on a permanent deal, because sitting on the bench threatens his international prospects.

With major tournaments approaching, Tuchel is monitoring several keepers closely, and Trafford risks losing ground if he does not secure regular minutes soon.

Newcastle United, who pushed hard for Trafford in the summer before City exercised matching rights, are expected to revisit their interest. Other Premier League clubs are also aware of his situation and are prepared to make an approach if City show a willingness to negotiate.

Ortega’s unexpected drop down the ladder

Stefan Ortega’s situation has become even more surprising. Only a season ago, the German was praised for his role in City’s title push and was considered a reliable deputy with the capability to challenge for more minutes. According to the Daily Mail, he came close to leaving in the summer before talks fell apart in the final stages.

Since then, his status has changed dramatically. Ortega has fallen to fourth choice in Guardiola’s plans and has not travelled with the squad for away fixtures. Internally, he is now viewed as an option outside the competitive rotation, and the likelihood of a January move has grown steadily.

This marks a striking turnaround for a keeper who previously attracted interest from Bayern Munich and was considered one of the stronger backup options in the league. A fresh start elsewhere now appears the most realistic outcome for the 31-year-old.

Donnarumma settles quickly but faces a disciplinary warning

While Trafford and Ortega navigate uncertainty, Donnarumma has wasted little time establishing himself. The Italian has delivered several confident performances and shown the consistency that Guardiola prioritises in the position. His presence has brought a sense of stability after a turbulent summer.

There is, however, one notable concern. Donnarumma has collected four yellow cards already this season, a tally that places him one booking away from a suspension. Guardiola addressed the issue during a short press conference before the trip to Fulham.

When asked whether he would speak to the goalkeeper about his discipline, he replied, “No, he is adult enough. For sure, we will step-by-step understand things in the league and new behaviours.”

With the January window approaching, City face important decisions about how to manage both the immediate needs of the squad and the long-term development of two goalkeepers who had hoped for a larger role. The next few weeks will determine whether Trafford or Ortega remain part of Guardiola’s plans beyond the winter.

Sources: Daily Mail.