One of the features of Manchester City’s pre-season tour of the United States is the opportunities for City’s youngsters. With a youthful travelling squad City looks set to take a closer look at several young players this summer. One of those players who will be eager to impress is James McAtee. The young midfielder has impressed during consecutive loan spells at Sheffield United during the past two seasons. City manager Pep Guardiola has explained that he has high hopes for McAtee heading into next season.
Speaking before his team takes on Celtic in their first friendly of the summer Pep Guardiola explained that he is excited to see what James McAtee can offer his team. He said he was hoping to have McAtee as part of his squad for next season. Guardiola told the media: “I am curious to see Macca (James McAtee), especially after coming back from Sheffield United. We have a high opinion of him. I’d love to have him next season with us – he can play in the small spaces in the pockets. I think he grew up in terms of physicality and has played for a team fighting relegation and when you do this you get something special. I know him well and know his potential – he has to play good for himself and the team.”
The opportunity is there for James McAtee to impress starting against Celtic.
Based on Pep Guardiola’s comments and the development over the past two seasons from James McAtee there is an opportunity for the young midfielder to impress starting against Celtic. McAtee burst onto the scene for Manchester City as a talented youngster. The club has held high hopes for McAtee that he could eventually become a key contributor for the world champions. Consecutive loan spells at Sheffield United have seen McAtee mature as a player and now he appears ready to make an impact at Manchester City.
Chances to impress for youngsters are fleeting at the world champions. Given the quality of City’s squad, it takes a special player to break into Pep Guardiola’s first-team squad. Phil Foden, Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb are proof of this. With a host of City’s key players rested after a long summer of internationals there is a golden opportunity for McAtee to impress this summer. It is now up to him to seize the moment. He has the talent to make it and now an opportunity is there. Whether or not McAtee can take his chance is a story to watch for during City’s tour of the United States.
Pep Guardiola has high hopes for James McAtee. That is apparent based on Guardiola’s recent comments. The hope is he can now force his way into Manchester City’s squad for the 24/25 season. If he does he will add another weapon to City’s squad. That will be to City’s benefit if McAtee can what he is capable of this summer.
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