Tarik Muharemović shares England 'hope' for his Leeds United teammate James Trafford
Tarik Muharemović is hoping to see one of his Leeds United teammates feature more prominently on the international stage
Leeds United star James Trafford is already England’s number one in the eyes of Tarik Muharemović.
A club-record £40m was paid by Leeds to Manchester City for Trafford’s signature in the summer and their significant outlay is already being vindicated.
The 23-year-old has looked remarkably assured between the sticks and kept a clean sheet in Leeds’ goalless draw with Crystal Palace last week.
He has now linked up with England for international duty, although is yet to dislodge Jordan Pickford and become Thomas Tuchel’s first-choice stopper.
Tarik Muharemović on James Trafford
Muharemović said: “We all know James Trafford is an unbelievable goalkeeper. For me, already England number one.
“I think it's really important to have someone like him in the goal, so I'm really happy to share the pitch with him, share the stage with him, and he's just doing his job very, very good.
“I hope he keeps doing like this, and I hope he will be the new number one.”
The battle to be England’s number one
England will play four games over the course of the current international break and it remains to be seen how much rotation there will be.
None of the four fixtures are friendlies, therefore changes could be minimal, but Tuchel will also be wary of the need to manage minutes.
Trafford, who has been capped twice at senior level, is in the ranks alongside Pickford and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jason Steele.
Earlier this month, in an interview with The Yorkshire Post, England legend Michael Owen conceded Pickford will be difficult to leapfrog in the pecking order.
He said: “I like James Trafford. I think he's a very good ‘keeper. He’s probably been a bit unlucky not to have played more at other clubs in recent times, but he's getting a good run now and yeah, England absolutely should come calling.
“Jordan Pickford is obviously doing particularly well himself at the moment, so he could be a tough nut to crack because he's had that position for a long time, but I do like Trafford. I think he's got a big future - hopefully at international level.”