Manchester City-owned midfielder James McAtee is like Arsenal playmaker Martin Odegaard.
That is according to Carl Asaba, who has been impressed by how McAtee has pl for Sheffield United so far this season.
So, what has been said about Manchester City midfielder James McAtee, who is now on loan at Sheffield United? Let’s take a look.
What’s the story?
Well, James McAtee is doing well on loan at Sheffield United.
McAtee moved to the Blades on loan from Manchester City in the summer transfer window.
The midfielder spent last season on loan at United as well. The 21-year-old helped the Yorkshire club win promotion from the Championship to the Premier League.
McAtee scored nine goals and gave three assists in 21 Championship starts last season. United re-signed the midfielder on another loan deal in the summer of 2023.
It made sense. McAtee was not going to get much playing time in the City first team this season, and having done well for the Blades in the Championship, he deserved a chance to help them in the Premier League.
McAtee has made six starts and two substitute appearances in the Premier League for Paul Heckingbottom’s side this campaign. The youngster has given one assist in those games.
Former Blades star Carl Asaba has been hugely impressed with McAtee and has compared him with Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal and Norway international attacking midfielder Odegaard is one of the best playmakers around and is a very silky footballer.
Asaba said about McAtee on BBC’s Football Heaven, as transcribed by SheffieldUnitedNews: “He’s a bonus player in that he plays midfield and you have an extra number in there but then he can just attack.
“He’s like Odegaard, you play him in midfield so he’s defending for you, he’s another body for them to try and navigate away from but he likes the ball 30 yards out cos he can go past you like you’re not there.
“The manager loves attacking, let’s not forget. But McAtee is showing you don’t need two up top.
“Because I can attack either side from the number 10 position and we need to be solid, so when we’ve not got the ball I’m willing to put a shift in.
“McAtee offers you this solidity. He’s shown this season what we saw him do in the Championship, he’s going to go past whatever calibre of player because he is that good.”
My View: James McAtee has a bright future at Manchester City
In my opinion, James McAtee has a bright future at Manchester City and could become a regular in the first-team squad.
For someone who is only 21, getting compared to Martin Odegaard is a big deal. It shows just how good and talented McAtee is.
Of course, it is not going to be easy for McAtee to establish himself in the City first team. Manager Pep Guardiola has a lot of attack-minded players.
However, if the 21-year-old continues to do well for Sheffield United this season, then Guardiola will simply have to get serious about him.
