Journalist Graeme Bailey has claimed that Manchester City are likely to keep James McAtee in their squad for the upcoming Premier League campaign.
After spending the previous season on loan at Sheffield United, the midfielder has completed City’s pre-season period with Pep Guardiola’s ranks and was included in the squad for the Community Shield clash against Arsenal.
Now that the new Premier League campaign is not far away from kicking off, one journalist has shared some details about what the immediate future could look like for the 20-year-old.
Bailey says City are likely to keep hold of McAtee
Speaking in a recent episode of the Talking Transfers podcast, Bailey had this to say about McAtee and his future at the Etihad Stadium.
He said: “James McAtee [is] another one that City are likely to keep even though there is a lot of interest in him.”
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In terms of the apparent interest in the youngster, it has recently been reported that the likes of Wolves, Brighton & Hove Albion, Celtic, Real Sociedad, Southampton, Sheffield United and AZ Alkmaar have their eyes on the player.
Last season, whilst on loan with the Blades, the midfielder scored nine goals and delivered three assists in 37 Championship appearances, showing how useful he can be in front of goal.
During City’s recent pre-season tour of Asia, which saw McAtee score a goal in the club’s 2-1 friendly win over Bayern Munich, Guardiola said that the club’s academy players are “exceptional” and that the people running the academy are “unbelievable” in terms of being able to produce players like McAtee.
The fact that the youngster was involved in the pre-season period and was in the squad for the Community Shield says to us that the City manager sees him as a viable option in his squad for the upcoming season.
Moving forward, we feel that while he may not be a regular starter, having a season under his belt where he’s amongst the senior squad and getting the odd chance to show what he can do could be the best way for the academy graduate to develop his game and get used to what it’s like in the Premier League.