Guardiola undecided on City keeper ahead of Brighton trip

Pep Guardiola said he has yet to settle on Manchester City’s first choice goalkeeper as his side prepare to travel to Brighton on Sunday, with the decision complicated by a nervy display from summer signing James Trafford and transfer uncertainty surrounding the club’s other goalkeepers. Trafford’s high-profile error in last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham has left the number one shirt up for grabs, Guardiola said, and any final call is likely to wait until the international break and the closure of the transfer window.

The 22 year old Trafford, a City academy product who returned to the club this summer after Burnley triggered a City buyback, started the season at Wolves and then at the Etihad. Guardiola defended the player’s mental strength and said the club would support him after the mistake that led to Tottenham’s second goal. Despite that backing, Guardiola repeatedly emphasised that, in the current period before transfers are finalised, everything is possible and selections may change depending on performance and other factors.

The uncertainty stems not only from Trafford’s error but from speculation over the futures of Ederson and Stefan Ortega. Ederson is...