James McAtee certain Pep Guardiola will understand England U-21 wish amid Manchester City future doubts | OneFootball

Manchester City’s James McAtee is yet to decide if he will represent England at the U-21 European Championship or his club at the FIFA Club World Cup this summer.

McAtee faces a crossroads summer having played a bit-part role for a below-par City this term, struggling for a look-in even at times the Premier League champions have cried out for inspiration in midfield.

The 22-year-old could be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season amid interest from Bayer Leverkusen, who could be seeing Florian Wirtz seek an exit as the likes of Real Madrid, Bayern Munich and City look to add to their respective midfield ranks.

With his current deal running till 2026, City could look to cash in on their academy graduate should McAtee express a desire to pursue regular first-team football elsewhere.

In a season marred by injuries and key absences across the board, Pep Guardiola has retained his stance on McAtee’s importance to the first-team, with the England U-21 international scoring six times in 22 appearances in all competitions this season for Manchester City.

However, Guardiola is expected to reluctantly allow McAtee to seek an exit, having played just 710 minutes this term – which is open to interpretation if it represents good enough senior game time in a season wherein City haven’t challenged for the Premier League or UEFA Champions League.

Whilst on international duty this week, McAtee scored and gave an assist for the England U21s against France U-21s to maintain a fine goals-per-minute ratio this season, much to the delight of England U-21 manager Lee Carsley.

McAtee will be presented with a dilemma come the summer when he can either opt to represent his nation at the U-21 European Championship or play for Manchester City at the FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.

“I’ve not made my mind up. It’s a great opportunity for both so it’s something I need to chat to Manchester City and Lee (Carsley) about. I’d love to go to both. I think I’ll get a say in it. I think my opinion will matter and the boss back home (Pep Guardiola) will listen to me,” McAtee said this week, as quoted by Nathan Salt writing for Mail Online.

Lee Carsley will be desperate to have McAtee at his disposal for the U21 European Championship. “It’s something we need to talk about. If players can be involved in a competition like the Club World Cup, obviously they go with our blessing,” Carsley said.

“But he ((McAtee) is a player who’s very important for us. It’s down to Manchester City and we’ll go off whatever they want and we’ll support James with that.”