“This is what every kid dreams of” – James McAtee reacts to first Champions League goal for Manchester City | OneFootball

Manchester City’s James McAtee has reacted to scoring his first UEFA Champions League goal for the club upon reintegrating into the first-team set-up.

The 21-year-old has returned to the Etihad Stadium’s senior squad following consecutive loan spells at Sheffield United in the Championship and Premier League, with last season’s spell at Bramall Lane ending in relegation from the English top-flight.

With Pep Guardiola insisting on keeping the player at the club for the ongoing season, McAtee has accepted the value of being in and around the senior first-team environment at the Etihad Stadium, and is now reaping the rewards in opportunities.

Despite largely appearing from the bench in the opening weeks of the season, the last two weeks have seen him start for the club in the Carabao Cup third round against Watford, before appearing in the Champions League against Slovan Bratislava this week.

Speaking to broadcasters after the 0-4 win in Slovakia on Tuesday night, James McAtee reflected on a memorable moment in his professional career after he claimed his first ever goal for the club in Europe’s premier competition.

“I was buzzing when I scored. I could’ve got another one I think like five minutes after, but I’m over the moon,” McAtee said. “I think this is what every kid dreams of. So it’s definitely a dream come true.”

The Salford-born midfielder continued, “It’s good to be back (at Manchester City). Obviously a tough year last year for me personally (at Sheffield United on-loan), but it’s good to be back and learning off the best players in the world in my opinion.”

Echoing the words of McAtee, fellow Academy graduate Phil Foden admitted how it is a ‘dream come true’ to be playing Champions League football regularly as a City Academy graduate, and insisted the aforementioned 21-year-old has a big role to play at the club.

“It’s a dream come true to be honest. We’ve worked really hard for it. Macca (James McAtee) has had a few loans and he’s come back and he’s doing really well and he’s a talented boy,” said Foden. “We’re going to need him this season with all the games, he has to be ready!”

With Manchester City acclimatising to life without Rodri for an extended period of time, McAtee is likely to see his name move up the midfield pecking order for several months, and as such could be afforded plenty more opportunities in big matches.

One contest that will no doubt be in his sights in the Carabao Cup fourth round clash in late October, with Manchester City travelling to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London, with Pep Guardiola already confirming he will heavily rotate his set-up.