Jordan Pickford has been a mainstay in the England squad since the 2018 World Cup, achieving 44 clean sheets in 91 caps and participating in 33 major tournament matches. As he approaches 34 by the time Euro 2028 starts, discussions about his potential successors are becoming prominent.

In the current World Cup squad, fellow goalkeepers include Dean Henderson from Crystal Palace, who served as Pickford's understudy, and James Trafford of Manchester City. Trafford is nearing a £40m transfer to Leeds United, which would position him among the most expensive goalkeepers ever, following the likes of Kepa Arrizabalaga and Alisson.

Despite limited playtime at Manchester City—only 17 appearances last season, with just four in the Premier League—Trafford's previous success at Burnley is noteworthy. He helped the club achieve promotion with 29 clean sheets and an impressive 84.47% save ratio in the Championship.

Trafford's journey began in Cockermouth, Cumbria, where he progressed through City's academy before joining Burnley for a reported £15m in 2023. After a return to City for £27m last summer, he found himself second-choice following the signing of Gianluigi Donnarumma.

If the transfer to Leeds materializes, it would mean a total of £82m spent on Trafford since his time at Burnley. While he has only played 32 top-flight matches, his previous manager, Scott Parker, has touted him as a "world-class keeper."

Meanwhile, Pickford continues to excel, having recently guided England to the World Cup semi-finals, surpassing Peter Shilton's record for World Cup appearances. His consistency has earned him multiple accolades, including the save-of-the-season award last season. As the competition intensifies, the question remains: can Trafford rise to challenge Pickford for the England number one spot?