‘Going to the top’ - What Scott Parker has said about ‘special’ Newcastle United target
Former Newcastle United captain Scott Parker gave St James’ Park chiefs an impressive appraisal of James Trafford last month - with all roads pointing towards a summer transfer.
Transfer speculation had gone quiet on Tyneside as Eddie Howe’s men prepare for a Premier League run-in and Carabao Cup final. That was until the Daily Mail broke a story claiming Newcastle are closing in on Burney goalkeeper Trafford.
The Manchester City academy graduate was close to joining Newcastle last summer but a deal broke down. With 23 clean sheets in 32 Championship games this season, Trafford’s stock has risen.
Two penalty saves against Sunderland last month have already endeared him to the Toon faithful. A renewed approach in the summer could see Trafford become the club’s No.1 shot-stopper - despite Martin Dubravka penning a contract extension yesterday and Nick Pope still on the books.
Ex-Newcastle skipper Parker - the Burnley manager - has given bold praise to the 22-year-old this season. The 44-year-old believes the goalie is “special” and can go to the top of English football.
“For sure, this is a boy with absolutely humongous potential," Parker said last month, as quoted by the BBC. "But I still think there is so much more to come from him.
"I've seen a real development in him this season and there is no better goalkeeper in and around this division. I've got nothing but positive things to say about James.
"When I first came in, there were some struggles and he came off the back of a difficult season. For such a young boy coming into that division, he had some hard times, some challenging times.
"But this is a special goalkeeper. He has absolutely huge potential. I would have said the same thing last week or four weeks ago. He is confident, he believes in himself and you need that to get to the top, top level. He has that and he backs it up with what he does in between the posts."