Parker salutes keeper Trafford for double penalty save
Scott Parker has praised James Trafford as a potential England goalkeeper after he made two late penalty saves to help Burnley cling on for a goalless draw with Sunderland that puts them equal on points with Championship leaders Leeds.
In a stunning conclusion at Turf Moor, Trafford twice denied Wilson Isidor from the spot, first in the 86th minute and again in the sixth minute of time added on, with the Burnley faithful celebrating their eighth goalless draw of the season as if it had been a victory.
Trafford has been a penalty hero previously, saving a stoppage-time spot-kick against Spain as England won the final of the European U21s Championships 1-0 in 2023. The 22-year-old gained a maiden senior call-up last March, and Parker thinks he will one day be a regular for his nation.
“I think so,” the former England captain stated. “In terms of what we’ve seen from him he is a youngster with just humungous potential. I still believe there’s so much more to come from him.”
Trafford has encountered problems early in his career. Installed as Burnley’s No.1 at the start of last season following a STG15million ($A30m) transfer from Manchester City, he lost his spot as the Clarets battled in the top division, but looks to have come out from the experience better for it.
“I’ve got nothing but positives to say about James,” Parker continued. “When I initially got in there were some challenges and he came off the back of a season last year that was tough for Traf, a young lad, moving into that division, he had some hard moments.
“But this is a rare keeper with absolutely immense potential. You see that confidence. He believes in himself and to reach to that top, top level you have to have that specific confidence, that arrogance. He’s got it and he backs it up.”
Trafford’s confidence was on display as he made Isidor wait to take both penalties, stating in a post-match interview he had to remove his gloves before the first spot-kick to tie his laces before then requiring treatment from the trainer on his hamstring. Whatever the reality, it worked.
A victory kept Burnley off the top of the standings, but Isidor had to be consoled by his teammates at the final whistle after wasting two chances to push fellow promotion contenders Sunderland above Burnley in the rankings.
“He’s disappointed, like the team,” Sunderland head Regis Le Bris said. “Football is like this. We have to make choices, you make errors and you learn from them. That’s the finest method to improve.”
Socceroos defender Harry Souttar’s Sheffield United are also pursuing promotion and are third wedged between Burnley and Sunderland.
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