Exclusive: James Trafford praises Mary Earps, Emi Martinez for 'inspiring' next generation of goalkeepers - Eurosport

James Trafford, who holds the top position as Burnley's goalkeeper, has expressed his admiration for Mary Earps and Emi Martinez for motivating the younger generation to aspire to become goalkeepers in years to come.

Martinez is now an essential member of the Argentine international team, having contributed to their triumphs in the Copa America and World Cup lately.

The goalie played a significant role in Argentina's wins during penalty shootouts in both events, and his performance has been exceptional in Aston Villa's unforeseen push for a championship this year.

In the meantime, Earps has been doing exceptionally well for both her club and her country. Her excellent performances were instrumental in England's victory in the European Championships, and she played a key role in leading them to the finals of the World Cup last year.

In a special interview with TNT Sports, Trafford spoke about the transformation of the position in soccer with the help of both goalkeepers and Ederson from Manchester City.

He recalls a time when being a goalie was not a popular choice among young players, which may still be the case today. According to him, those who were not skilled in playing in the field or were the youngest ones were forced to take on the role of a goalie, and he happened to fall under this category.

When I was younger, I used to play football with my two older cousins. Since I was the youngest, they would always put me in the back of the field. As time passed, I witnessed how talented Manuel Neuer was during the World Cup in Brazil back in 2014. He was an expert on being a 'sweeper keeper' and controlling the game from his position.

When Ederson joined Manchester City, he revolutionized the team's playing style from the previous season. His ball control and defensive tactics were game-changing. Similarly, Martinez has shown an immense amount of courage during penalty shootouts, and Mary Earps has achieved remarkable success by winning the Sports Personality of the Year award in the women's game.

I have noticed an increase in the number of individuals aspiring to become goalkeepers. This is mostly influenced by notable personalities like Mary Earps, Ederson, and Martinez who have gained significant attention and admiration. They have become a great source of inspiration to many aspiring goalkeepers.

Trafford has achieved an impressive feat by reaching the highest level at a very young age of only 20.

During the summer, Burnley signed the young player from City for £19 million, making him the third most expensive English goalkeeper ever.

Trafford did really well in a temporary stint at Bolton. He was so good that he managed to achieve a notable accomplishment - being the first goalkeeper ever to keep four clean sheets in his first four games with the club. He didn't stop there though, and kept up his impressive form, going on to have nine home games in a row where he didn't concede a goal - which is now a club record.

He maintained his excellent performance during the U21 Euros in the previous year with the English team. He managed to keep a clean sheet throughout the tournament and even saved a penalty in the final match, helping England overcome Spain.

Trafford claimed that he derives motivation from a multitude of goalkeepers such as Andre Onana from Manchester United and Joel Dixon from Bolton. He also acknowledges the guidance of Burnley’s goalkeeping coach, Jelle ten Rouwelaar.

"I have been a big fan of goalkeeping for a long time, and as a result, I have observed many goalkeepers at various levels," he stated. "I have watched Jim Atkinson play in the non-league at my local club, and I must say he is amazing with the ball. Last year, when I was with Bolton, I had the opportunity to learn a lot from Joe Dickson."

I spend a lot of time viewing various clips all by myself, as well as with Jelle. Together, we immerse ourselves in watching numerous goalkeepers such as Onana, Alisson, Maignan, and Steele. These players are our prime examples since they possess exceptional individual qualities that I aspire to incorporate into my own unique style. My goal is to enhance my skills by learning from them and adding my own personal touch.

Moreover, I find watching Courtois in action, as well as Ter Stegen and Neuer, to be highly enjoyable. In fact, there are numerous goalkeepers who captivate my interest on the field.

Vincent Kompany, the manager of Burnley, spoke highly of Trafford's performance in his first ever season in the Premier League.

Kompany shared with TNT Sports that this person is someone he wanted to bring attention to when speaking about the team's dynamic. They have displayed a composed and steady attitude while consistently putting in their best effort. It is evident that this individual possesses impressive skills.

"He has already proven his ability to perform in this league, so what we expect from all the players, not just him, is a consistent level of performance that is essential for us to maintain our position in this league and potentially progress even further."

One important quality that Trafford emphasized for goalkeepers is the need for strong mental toughness to handle errors that may lead to significant consequences for the team.

He also elucidated on how goalkeepers can assist outfield players in that aspect of the sport both during and outside of matches.

He stated that the psychological aspect is of utmost significance. While it may not solely decide your performance, it plays a significant role in determining your confidence and overall gameplay.

Being a goalkeeper requires mental strength, which means you don't want people to pity you. Mental fortitude is a prerequisite for the job, so if you lack it, you may not be suited for the position.

As a goalkeeper, whether you begin your career at 16 or you're a seasoned pro like me or Neuer, you're bound to face mental hurdles every single day. It's an arduous and complex aspect of the game, but there's no point in feeling sorry for yourself - it's just part of the job and what you must do to succeed as a net-minder.

In my opinion, numerous goalkeepers will contribute to the emotional support of outfield players by sharing their own experiences and setting an example as team leaders. For instance, we can notice goalkeepers like Martinez assisting outfield players when the team receives a free kick. He Adjusts the position of the wall so that the other goalkeeper is unable to anticipate and stop the ball. This decision comes from Martinez`s understanding of what the other goalie dislikes, which is being put in that particular spot.

I've learned about goalies assisting penalty takers. I believe that the significance of a goalie's psychological impact off the field is continuously growing.

Burnley's top-performing athlete this season has been Trafford, who has made some impressive saves throughout the course of the games. He has recorded the second highest number of saves in the Premier League, with 84 so far this season.

The goalie showcased a splendid performance while Burnley played against Brighton, resulting in a 1-1 draw. Then, in the match against Liverpool, he made seven saves in the first half alone, which is the highest number achieved by any goalie in the league this season.

Trafford talked about the progress the team is making in their defense and mentioned that his primary objective is not to maintain a spotless record, but rather to help Burnley secure more victories.

We feel a great sense of accomplishment when we manage to keep our sheets clean, but I personally prefer winning a game 4-3 than settling for a goalless draw. However, I do acknowledge the importance of clean sheets and how every game presents an opportunity to maintain one.

When we achieved the first game without conceding a goal against Sheffield United, it was really encouraging because it demonstrated that we could prevent the opponent from scoring. Afterwards, we repeated this feat at Fulham, and although we have been close on other occasions, we have realized that it's important to remain composed under pressure and capitalize on any momentum that we gain. Our continuous growth and improvement as a team is evident from these experiences.

TNT Sports is offering top-quality live sports coverage that was once available exclusively on BT Sport. The amazing content includes Premier League, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League, Gallagher Premiership Rugby, Investec Champions Cup, EPCR Challenge Cup, MotoGP, Cricket, UFC, Boxing, and WWE. For a one-stop-shop for TNT Sports, Eurosport, and entertainment in the UK, fans can subscribe to discovery+. BT, EE, Sky, and Virgin Media are also options for watching TNT Sports.