James McAtee could have a very exciting season ahead of him with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.
After spending the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, the midfielder is currently taking part in City’s pre-season tour of America ahead of the upcoming 2024/25 campaign.
In a recent press conference, Guardiola said that he would like to keep the 21-year-old in his squad for next season, highlighting just how highly he thinks of the academy graduate.
Now though, the player has shared his reaction to these comments and shed some light on how the Spaniard tells him to play.
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James McAtee praises Pep Guardiola after recent Man City admission
In a recent interview with the Daily Mail, McAtee had this to say about Guardiola including what he tells him to do on the pitch and his recent comments about wanting the midfielder to stay in the senior City squad for the upcoming season.
He said: “The manager just says to go and be yourself. He’s not asking much, he just wants me to express myself.
“He’s the best manager in the world so any praise from him is amazing. It’s about getting my head down and prove him right.”
McAtee must take any opportunity he gets in a City shirt this season
Across his previous campaign with the Blades in the Premier League, McAtee scored three goals and provided three assists in 30 games, 20 of which he started.
Even though he couldn’t help the Yorkshire club ultimately stay in the top flight, the youngster gathered some vital experience of what it’s like to play in the Premier League.
With the midfielder knowing what Guardiola wants from him on the pitch and having his backing in terms of potentially being a regular figure in the senior squad for next season, we feel that the youngster now needs to make the most of any opportunity he gets to play and express himself on the pitch.
