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Manchester City’s newest signing could bring more chaos to Pep Guardiola’s squad
Transfer Deadline Day is often a day where Manchester City avoid the stress that comes with it.
Since the arrival of manager Pep Guardiola in 2016, City have always tried to get their business done early, allowing their new signings to settle in before going full throttle into the new season.
For much of this summer, it looked like City were adopting a similar strategy with Rayan Cherki, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Tijjani Reijnders and goalkeeper James Trafford all coming in with weeks, or even months, to spare before the window slams shut on September 1.
Then came the rumours that City stalwart Ederson was set for a move away from the Etihad with a year left on his contract.
At first, it felt like a succession plan was in place. After a stellar 2024/25 season with promoted Burnley in the Championship, where he kept 29 clean sheets, Trafford was recalled to City, the team where he started his football career. With a PFA Championship Player of the Year award, there was plenty of optimism for the new man in between the sticks for City.
His Premier League debut for the Blues this season, a 4-0 win against Wolves, could not have gone any better. He had very little to do, and when called upon, he kept the West Midlands side at bay. This positive start was overshadowed by a misplaced pass, which set up Tottenham Hotspur’s second goal in a 2-0 win at the Etihad. It was a performance to forget for Trafford, who, in this modern world where hot takes are aplenty, had some fans calling for him to be replaced.
This past weekend, City looked to finish on a high note going into the international break against Brighton and Hove Albion, but after going 1-0 up through Erling Haaland, City lost control. A penalty from James Milner and a Brajan Gruda strike in the second half secured the win for the Seagulls, who have left City in turmoil.
Trafford was not at fault for both goals. A moment of madness from Nunes saw him commit a handball, while a poor clearance from John Stones sparked the Brighton counterattack for Gruda’s goal. The 22-year-old pulled off an impressive save to stop Yankuba Minteh in one of the only positives from a dismal showing on the south coast.
The strong mentality to not let the heat affect him has to be commended when it comes to Trafford’s performance, but it’s looking like he is now set for a period of chaos with a City deadline day signing.
As soon as news emerged that Gianluigi Donnarumma was set to leave European champions PSG, links were already being made to City amidst the uncertainty surrounding Ederson, who signed for Turkish side Fenerbahce which ended eight successful years at the Etihad.
Donnarumma's move to City was finally confirmed on Tuesday morning on a five year contract worth £26m with the option of a further year, and it is one that may not help alleviate the chaos currently surrounding Pep Guardiola and his squad.
Donnarumma is a freak of nature. Standing at six feet and five inches in height, the Italian is a formidable presence and will undoubtedly bring some much-needed authority and control to a City defence that has at times been chaotic. His shot-stopping ability at 26 years old is already a highlight reel, and this has often been an area of criticism for Ederson.
But is Donnarumma a signing Pep Guardiola and City really need?
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If I were Trafford, I would feel undermined. In recent years, some of City’s exciting academy prospects have been shipped off for pastures new, with the promise of being a permanent member of the first team quickly fading. Cole Palmer to Chelsea is a prime example, with the attacker becoming a must-watch talent in the Premier League.
At the age of 22, there is plenty of time for Trafford to cement himself as City’s number one, but he may see the arrival of the Italian as a knee-jerk reaction to the struggles against Spurs and in turn, damage a relationship with manager Guardiola, who has a mixed record when it comes to keeping top talent at the club.
It’s not just Trafford who will be affected; it may also unsettle the stuttering squad of players.
This poor start, which consists of one league win and two losses, is not down to the goalkeeper. It’s due to a myriad of problems, especially when it comes to the flanks and the defensive line.
Bringing in a new goalkeeper will likely disrupt what is already proving to be a tough process to get City firing on all cylinders with Donnarumma having to adapt to Guardiola’s methods, and there have been many examples in the past of players taking at times a full season to understand the Catalan’s tactics.
After the international break, it does not get much easier for City, who face local rivals Manchester United, Napoli in a Champions League league phase opener, and Arsenal. Confidence is at an all-time low at City, and asking Donnarumma to jump feet first into these games could be a recipe for disaster.
Football can be a funny old game, and it would be no surprise if Donnarumma fits perfectly straightaway. He has the talent to avoid letting a new system throw him off his game.
However, with a City team in chaos and struggling, perhaps signing a new face on deadline day could be seen as an unnecessary panic in a season that is just three weeks old.
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