James McAtee has shared what Pep Guardiola has told him since arriving back at Manchester City in recent weeks.
After spending last season on loan with Sheffield United, the midfielder has been a part of City’s pre-season squad for their tour of Asia.
With the Premier League season a couple of weeks away from starting, the 20-year-old has spoken out about his future and what Guardiola has said to him during the pre-season period.
McAtee shares Guardiola talks
Speaking to The Athletic, McAtee had this to say when asked about what his next step could be heading into next season.
He said: “I think that’s the plan (to stay at City) but I’m not too sure — I’ll have to wait till I get back home. I’ve not really had talks with the manager yet, he’s just said get your head down and work hard this pre-season.”
“Of course, I’m grateful for the chance I had at Sheffield. It’s turned me into a man, going out and getting a taste of men’s football.
“But it’s my childhood dream to play for City so that’s the goal. I know it won’t be easy — they’ve got some of the best players in the world in our midfield — Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne.”
During his time with the Blades last season, McAtee made 37 Championship appearances in total, scoring nine goals and providing three assists as the Yorkshire club made their way back to the Premier League.
Last weekend saw the Englishman play the first half of City’s 5-3 win over Yokohama F. Marinos before completing the first half of their 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich on Wednesday.
With that in mind, having been in the starting XI on both occasions in this pre-season period, this could be Guardiola seeing if the youngster has what it takes to be a regular figure in his team.
Moving forward, we feel that the Manchester club should keep McAtee in the senior squad for next season and give him the chance to show what he can do in the Premier League.
Although, if he isn’t likely to get regular game time at City, perhaps another loan move away to a top-flight side where he would be a regular starter might be the best next move for the player.
