Why ex-Premier League keeper has lost his mind with what he said about Leeds ace Trafford and Kelleher

James Trafford has enjoyed a fine start to life at Leeds United.

He will be disappointed at how Riccardo Calafiori's effort slipped through his grasp as Leeds surrendered the lead to Arsenal in a 2-1 defeat last week.

But by and large, Trafford is already looking like the answer to the long-term problem Leeds had in the goalkeeper department.

Illan Meslier had his moments but was never far away from an awful error, while Lucas Perri was a failed transfer, and Karl Darlow opted to sign to Manchester United, which is frankly a no-go for a Leeds player.

Trafford brings and air of calm to Leeds' backline, has excellent distribution, and is now competing to be England's number one.

Which is why comments from former Republic of Ireland international Darren Randolph, who made 34 Premier League appearances, will rankle with Leeds supporters.

What did Darren Randolph say about James Trafford?

Trafford endured a frustrating campaign last term, when he signed for Manchester City but then watched on as they went on to bring in Gianluigi Donnarumma.

So, Trafford was in need of a move, and Leeds were in an even more desperate need of a goalkeeper.

So much so that Leeds were convinced to fork out a club-record £45million to sign Trafford from the Cityzens.

He has made a hugely impressive start to life at Elland Road, but Randolph ranks Brentford's Caoimhin Kelleher - Ireland's current number one - as a better goalkeeper.

Speaking to talkSPORT Ireland, Randolph said: "Yeah, I would say he is (better than Trafford. I'd say he's better than Jordan Pickford.

"Pickford's been around for a lot longer. Even going back to obviously James Trafford, he obviously got his move to Manchester City, but don't forget Caoimhin was playing for Liverpool, and the Liverpool that was winning stuff and he was still performing for them.

"He's won a lot more than a lot of the other experienced keepers in the Premier League. He's had big nights, he's played big occasions, he's got that kind of valuable experience early in his career."

Do the stats back-up Darren Randolph?

This isn't about taking anything away from Kelleher, but frankly it is tough to be making this case.

Trafford has been among the best goalkeepers in the Premier League this season, form which saw him play for England twice in their recent Nations League fixtures.

No one in the Premier League has a better save percentage this season than Trafford (82.8 per cent), with Kellerher (78.6 per cent) looking up at him.

Only Walter Benitez (four) has conceded fewer than Trafford's five goals, but the Crystal Palace man has also played three fewer games.

Trafford also sits top of the saves made column with 24, though Kelleher is second in this statistic (22).

Both goalies have a goals prevented rate of 1.1, but it is objectively unfair to claim Kelleher is a better goalkeeper than Trafford, when the numbers clearly suggest otherwise.

As to Randolph's other point, Kelleher does have medals in his trophy cabinet and you cannot take that away from him.

But his medals in the Premier League and Champions League were largely as a back-up to Alisson.

His FA Cup medal from 22 was from the substitutes' bench, though in fairness he did start in Carabao Cup final wins in 2022 and 2024.

Again, this is not to detract from a very good goalkeeper, nor is it to downplay his achievements.

But it is a defence of Trafford, who right you now you could argue is performing as the best goalkeeper in the Premier League.