Vincent Kompany has praised young Cumbrian goalkeeper James Trafford after his sensational performance for Burnley against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Burnley No1, from Greysouthen, produced a stunning display to keep the home side at bay in the 1-1 draw.
Trafford shone with ten saves in a defiant performance from the 21-year-old.
It earned the England Under-21 keeper praise from fans - and his manager.
“The game demanded it at the end,” said Kompany of Trafford's late saves. “You don’t come to these places and get a result without moments like this.
“It’s in the bank for him [Trafford], in terms of having come through this.
"He needs to keep working on becoming the best he can be. We’re very fortunate to have two very good goalkeepers.
Ten saves and a fantastic performance, James Trafford gave his assessment of today's result 📽️ pic.twitter.com/eWCuSBgLmB
— Burnley FC (@BurnleyOfficial) December 9, 2023
“His season has been no different to everyone else in the team. He’s improved throughout the season, shown good signs. He’s been more and more consistent and ultimately at this level consistency is the key word.
“We have more and more players who perform at a consistent level. In games like today, without someone having an outstanding performance, you never get results.”
Trafford, speaking after the game, played down his heroics.
"That's my job - when the defence gets broken, I'm the last line of defence, my job is to save shots and that's what I tried to do," he told Burnley's official channels.
Trafford's showing on the south coast was his best day yet in a challenging start to Premier League life with the newly-promoted Clarets.
Next up for the promising keeper is a clash with Everton where fellow Cumbrian star Jarrad Branthwaite continues to impress.
The ex-Carlisle United defender from Wigton produced yet another strong display as Everton swept aside Chelsea 3-0 at Goodison Park.
Branthwaite's form has led to continued calls from an England call-up with Micah Richards, on the BBC, the latest pundit to talk up the 21-year-old's claims.
In the last few days the sovereign wealth fund of Saudi Arabia and the $6bn fortune of Todd Boehly have met their match in a lad from Wigton. Lovely stuff https://t.co/uZ561na0Jb
— Jon Colman (@joncolman) December 10, 2023
"He was absolutely outstanding," Richards said. "If he carries this on, he's going to the very top."
Trafford and Branthwaite will, though, be denied the chance to face each other on the pitch next Saturday, as Branthwaite's booking against Chelsea - his fifth of the season - will trigger a one-match suspension.
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