Manchester City saw numerous players spend the previous season on loan at different clubs.
For example, names such as Joao Cancelo, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Tommy Doyle, Josh Wilson-Esbrand and Maximo Perrone were loaned out from the squad.
Despite that, the Blues still managed to win another Premier League title and become the first side to lift four league trophies in a row
Now that City’s latest preseason period has begun, one player currently in training with Pep Guardiola’s side who spent last season out on loan has opened up about his latest spell away from the Etihad Stadium.
James McAtee shares what he learned from latest Sheffield United loan spell
McAtee reflected on his loan spell with Sheffield United last season in a recent interview shared on the official City website, saying this on the matter.
He said: “We had a tough season, but it’s a lesson I’ve learned. Just really about the environment, coping with sometimes not doing so well and just trying to keep my emotions steady.
“It’s a completely different game in my opinion [to youth football]. I think the speed and the strength of the men’s game is totally different.
“It’s more the pressure as well, the pressure going into a game it’s a lot more than what it was like playing in the EDS and the Academy.”
McAtee had a tough job trying to save the Blades
The 21-year-old spent the 2022/23 season on loan at the Yorkshire club, helping them get into the Premier League before joining the Blades on another temporary deal last summer.
Across the previous campaign, McAtee scored three goals and delivered three assists in 31 league games, playing in numerous midfield and attacking positions in the process.
In fact, Billy Sharp described the midfielder as an “unbelievable” player back in November.
Even though United had a difficult campaign, the City loanee still managed to show what he’s capable of by racking up more progressive carries (55) than any other player at the club as well as the second-highest total of shot-creating actions (60) and tackles in the attacking third of the pitch (10).
Now that the Englishman has some top-flight experience under his belt, this could put him in a good position to potentially be a regular figure in Guardiola’s squad at City for the upcoming season.
