Pep Guardiola has made a huge claim about one of his team’s youngsters ahead of the 2024/2025 season.
Since joining Manchester City in 2016, Guardiola has not hesitated from giving young players chances — with names like Phil Foden, Rico Lewis, Oscar Bobb and Cole Palmer springing to mind.
From his time at Barcelona, the £378,846-a-week man has always been open to handing young players chances in the first-team, such as Sergio Busquets, Pedro Rodriguez and Thiago Alcantara.
Guardiola was also Bayern Munich’s manager when they signed Thiago in 2013, despite him being just 22 years old and made him a mainstay in his side.
While the Manchester City boss is often associated with spending big money, there are plenty of examples of him simply putting his faith on youngsters to deliver at senior level.
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Pep Guardiola makes huge claim about Man City’s James McAtee
With City having one of the best academies in the world, the club do not have always have to sign a player in the transfer window to bolster their squad.
The ascent young players like Foden, Lewis and Bobb have taken over the years is an indicator that often, it is best to rely on in-house solutions that such prospects can offer.
Speaking ahead of Manchester City’s upcoming pre-season friendly against Celtic, Pep Guardiola revealed that he intends to integrate James McAtee into the first-team next season.
Guardiola said via City’s official X account: “We have a high opinion of him. I would like to see. I would love to have him next season with us, he can play in the small spaces in the pockets. I think he grew up in terms of physicality and has played for a team fighting relegation and when you do this, you get something special.”
James McAtee deserves a first-team spot at Manchester City
McAtee will be delighted to hear that Pep Guardiola feels he is finally first-team ready.
The 21-year-old, branded as “fantastic” by Ben Foster is capable of playing as a number 10, in central midfield and as a makeshift winger.
Only two teams in Premier League history finished with lower points in a single campaign than Sheffield United last season (16) — Derby County in the 2007/2008 season (nine) and Sunderland in the 2005/2006 campaign (15).
Yet, McAtee managed to impress out on loan, with Micah Richards praising him for “doing very well” in his first season as a starter in the Premier League.
With the Englishman’s technical security, understanding of Pep Guardiola’s demands, Premier League experience and versatility, it is sensible to give him a chance to showcase his class at senior level for City.
