Gianluigi Donnarumma’s Height Compared To James Trafford

Pep Guardiola was seemingly left in awe by the size of Gianluigi Donnarumma but the Manchester City boss already had a behemoth between the sticks. The Italian joined the Cityzens from Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day in a £26m deal after he fell out of favour under Luis Enrique in the French capital.

The 26-year-old is a proven winner, having won the UEFA Champions League with the Parisians before losing Enrique’s trust after this summer’s FIFA Club World Cup. He’s expected to pick up the Lev Yashin Trophy at the Ballon d’Or awards ceremony for his displays for club and country over the past year.

Donnarumma could even make his debut for City in the Manchester derby against Manchester United, who were linked during the summer transfer window. He’s now battling it out with Trafford to be Guardiola’s number one, but his manager can’t use size to separate them.

Guardiola Astonished By Donnarumma’s Height

Donnarumma trained with his new City teammates for the first time on Thursday (September 11) ahead of the huge encounter with United at the Etihad on Sunday (September 14). He could be immediately thrust into Guardiola’s starting XI amid Trafford’s questionable start after returning to his boyhood club.

Guardiola appeared mesmerized by the Italian shot-stopper when speaking in his pre-match press conference. He said (via Fabrizio Romano): “Donnarumma is so tall and so huge.”

Donnarumma is six-foot-five and uses his colossal frame to command his box with aplomb. He is usually dominant coming for the ball from crosses while making some outrageous stops, including against Liverpool and Arsenal in last season’s Champions League knockout stages.

The 76-cap Italy international might be the physically imposing Ederson replacement that Guardiola longed for. But somewhat surprisingly he isn’t taller than Trafford whose place in the Spaniard’s lineup is now under huge threat.

“Hard To Believe” – Fans Shocked Trafford is Taller Than Donnarumma

Trafford is purportedly six-foot-six, making him an inch taller than Donnrumma which, for many fans, just isn’t plausible. The English goalkeeper doesn’t appear to be as big a unit as the Italian which has gone under the radar now that Guardiola has two of the Premier League’s tallest shot-stopper’s at his disposal.

Sky Sports presenter Joe Tomlinson simply responded to Guardiola’s comment by posting a question mark along with a screenshot of the two goalkeepers.

One City fan wrote in response:

“Hard to believe that Trafford is taller than Donnarumma. We’ve got 2 absolute giants.”

Another supporter stated:

“Honestly, I’m so surprised Trafford is reported to be that tall. After watching him for two years I’d say 6’2.”

One added:

“Had absolutely no clue that Trafford is actually taller than Donnarumma. We finally have not one, but two goalkeepers that should be able to command the box comfortably.”

This is the first season since 2017-18 the Sky Blues will be without Ederson following the Brazilian’s move to Fenerbahce. He was six-foot-two but he’ll forever be remembered for his ball-playing abilities and it’s a tall order for the two giants to become his replacement.