Keith Curle reserved special praise for one Manchester City player after their defeat to AC Milan.
Considering the number of young players City have played against Celtic and Milan, Pep Guardiola has every reason to be proud of his side’s performances.
The Sky Blues have been far from their brilliant best while losing both games but with the number of youngsters who have been involved, them keeping pace with top teams is wholly impressive.
Notably, a majority of the young prospects have also looked natural fits in Guardiola’s system during City’s US pre-season tour so far.
James McAtee, much like during Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Asia in 2023 has once again impressed.
Keith Curle discusses the “eye for goal” James McAtee has after Man City lose to AC Milan
Pep Guardiola also praised McAtee’s showing against AC Milan — stating how a right-hand side that featured him and Oscar Bobb was “brilliant.”
The 21-year-old dovetailed between the number 10 and right-wing positions throughout the game.
In both games, the Englishman has mainly played as an attacking midfielder.
As Manchester City midfielder McAtee scored a close-range header after ghosting behind Fikayo Tomori by showcasing an astute piece of movement against AC Milan, Keith Curle claimed he could become a goalscorer in the future.
Curle said on City’s half-time show: “Great to see [James] McAtee, I think he can score goals, he’s got an eye for goal.”
“Great movement as well in the box, he’s taken the defender under the ball and pulled out, earned that yard of space. Let’s see how he’s taken the defender in, check movement, loses his defender, that’s good movement.”
James McAtee should certainly focus on becoming a goalscorer
Currently, McAtee will perhaps be focusing on how to improve all aspects of his game.
At 21, the highly-rated attacker is far from the finished article.
But one aspect of McAtee’s game that he should certainly focus on is goalscoring.
In today’s day and age, an attacking midfielder is expected to score goals.
Furthermore, a number 10 who can score as well as provide assists is the ultimate asset in the middle of the park for any team.
As Keith Curle explained, McAtee did excellently well to find space inside the box for his headed goal against AC Milan and if he continues to hone this very side of his game, it will become difficult for Manchester City not to start him regularly after a point.
