James Trafford says joining Leeds United has not made him a better goalkeeper – not yet, anyway – but admits it probably propelled him into the England team.

Trafford was England's third-choice goalkeeper at the World Cup, one of only two squad members with Kobbie Mainoo not to play a minute.

Then he was Manchester City's cup goalkeeper. Now he is Britain's most expensive, having moved to Elland Road for £45m.

In the first game since, he started for England in their Nations League opener against Spain at Wembley and will keep his place in Czechia on Tuesday, before handing over to 91-cap Jordan Pickford for the next two matches of this international break.

But going with Trafford for the first and toughest game of the sequence felt significant.

"It's all an imaginary thing, status, it's how you carry yourself," said the 23-year-old Cumbrian, who was winning only his third cap.

"There's not many players that don't play (for their clubs) that start for any national team and it was always my aim to play in a top league and play for a top team in Leeds this season.

"It's what I wanted to do, it's what I love.

GIVEN HIS CHANCE: England goalkeeper James Trafford during the warm-up for the Nations League group game against Spain (Image: Press Association)

placeholder image — GIVEN HIS CHANCE: England goalkeeper James Trafford during the warm-up for the Nations League group game against Spain (Image: Press Association)

"I just enjoy playing football and it keeps me happy and it's great fun playing football.

"It's an amazing club and I've loved every day I've been there and it's a great set of lads. Wherever I play I just really enjoy everything.

"Your ability doesn't change whether you play or not play, it's just how you think it in your head.

"It's hard to go up a level in terms of ability in a short space of time, the one thing I'm doing is playing and playing regularly and that's one thing that you have to do to get picked for your country.

ENGLAND GREAT: Jordan Pickford has won 91 caps and played in two European Championship finals and two World Cup semi-finals (Image: BEN STANSALL/AFP via Getty Images)

"I feel like I've had a great start to the season, I feel I did well last season and I was just excited to play."

Trafford conceded three times in a 3-2 defeat, but was not at fault for any of the goals and made good saves from Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo. He talked down his fight with Pickford, England's undisputed No 1 since the summer of 2018.

"Everyone's battling to start, everyone's a high-level player in the squad and battling to play.

"It's not different to any of the positions. Everyone just gives it their all and tries to perform as well as they can to play, it's a reality at every level.

"Every footballer's dream is to play for England and start for England and we're just trying to prove every day that you can start.

"We're both northern lads and we get on really well. It's the reality in football that everyone competes for the starting XI but me and Pickford get on really well.

"(Coach Thomas Tuchel) didn't tell me what I need to do, it's just every time, instead of coming to the pitch where I've been training all day, you just try and show your ability every time and it's just the reality of every player that comes into the camp, you've just got to be yourself and try and impress the manager.

"I want to try and save every shot and I didn't and it's just the reality of playing against a top team. I'm just trying to do my job."

Trafford’s club-mate Dominic Calvert-Lewin was a second-half substitute for Harry Kane, who put England 2-1 up but hit a penalty against the crossbar when he had chance to extend the lead.

Sloppily conceded goals scored by Torres and Alex Baena sandwiched quickfire goals for Anthony Gordon and Kane before Mikel Oyazarbal won the game for Spain, who are now unbeaten in 39 matches and are world and European champions.