Guardiola signals Gianluigi Donnarumma as long-term No. 1, leaving James Trafford on the bench

Pep Guardiola said Gianluigi Donnarumma could be Manchester City's goalkeeper "for many years," remarks that make it likely James Trafford will sit on the bench after rejoining the club this summer.

The comments came as City prepared for their first European fixture of the season, a Champions League tie that Guardiola indicated Donnarumma is likely to start. Trafford returned to City in a £27 million deal earlier this summer after Guardiola signalled his intention to move long-serving No. 1 Ederson, who completed a transfer to Fenerbahce before the end of the transfer window. Donnarumma signed from Paris Saint-Germain in a deal reported at about £26 million.

Guardiola praised the new signing's qualities and experience, telling reporters on Wednesday: "I would say in the last decade we've always had incredible keepers. Ederson made an incredible job, and the other keepers who helped us too. Gigi [Donnarumma], with his age at 26, comes for many years and of course he's a top class player." The manager added that Donnarumma brings different attributes to those of his predecessor, saying, "We didn't take Gigi to do what Ederson has done. Gigi has another quality. He is so tall, he is so huge. He is a big presence on the big stages. He did it in the Champions League last season. He is going to concede goals but all the while we will try and help him."

Those remarks followed Donnarumma's first appearance for City, in which he produced a notable save against Manchester United. The Italian's debut performance was widely noted by pundits and supporters and appears to have strengthened his hold on the starting position.

Trafford, 22, made three Premier League appearances for City at the start of the season but was dropped thereafter. Guardiola said the academy graduate will remain part of the squad and receive playing opportunities across a long campaign, noting the club's need to use multiple goalkeepers over many fixtures. "James Trafford is the keeper for Man City, the keepers we can only have one. We have a season with many games and everyone will be involved," the manager said.

Manchester City face Napoli in Europe in their opening Champions League fixture and travel to Arsenal in the Premier League on the weekend that follows. The club's schedule includes a Carabao Cup tie at Huddersfield, where Guardiola suggested opportunities for rotation could arise and Trafford might be expected to start. City also face a challenging group stage in the Champions League that includes Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund.

The sequence of moves this summer — Ederson's transfer, Trafford's arrival and Donnarumma's acquisition — has reshaped City's goalkeeping options. Guardiola's public endorsement of Donnarumma's long-term role makes him the clear favourite to lead the team between the posts in major fixtures, while Trafford is likely to serve as primary backup and play in cup competitions and when rotation is required.

The manager's comments balanced recognition of Donnarumma's immediate impact with reassurance about squad involvement. Guardiola stressed that the club values the different skills each goalkeeper brings and that selection will depend on the profile of matches and the broader demands of the season.