Pep Guardiola reveals clear desire to KEEP James McAtee in Manchester City first-team this season | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has revealed a clear desire to retain the services of James McAtee in his first-team set-up for the new season.

The 21-year-old has returned into the first-team picture among the Premier League champions ahead of the 2024/25 season, hoping to prove a point to manager Pep Guardiola over his credentials to play a part for the club next season.

McAtee returns off the back of a second successive season-long loan spell with Sheffield United, with his promotion-winning campaign with the Blades of 2022/23 followed by immediate relegation back into the second-tier from the Premier League.

James McAtee has been at the centre of widespread transfer admiration and interest for a number of seasons, both in the way of permanent and temporary agreements, while the ongoing market has seen a number of European clubs including Chelsea linked.

However, any potential suitors will no doubt be walking away from the idea of entering into a negotiation with Manchester City, following fresh comments from the Etihad Stadium head coach on the versatile playmaker.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of Manchester City’s USA tour opener against Celtic in Chapel Hill, North Carolina this week, Pep Guardiola sent a clear message of support to James McAtee whilst Stateside.

“I would love to have, to keep him (James McAtee) next season with us, because he’s a special guy to play in small spaces, in the pockets, and we don’t have many,” Guardiola revealed on the subject of the 21-year-old attacking midfielder.

He continued, “When you play in the Premier League in a team fighting to not be relegated (Sheffield United), you get something special… I am curious to see Macca especially. He’s a player I have a high, high opinion of, and I would like if he can insert properly with the team.”

It remains to be seen how much game time McAtee will receive on Manchester City’s four-game tour of the United States, however given the words from Pep Guardiola, it would come as no surprise to see him utilised often.

James McAtee is one of a number of Manchester City Academy graduates showcasing their abilities in front of Pep Guardiola and his staff this summer, accompanying the likes of Jadel Katongo, Callum Doyle, Jacob Wright, and Joel Ndala in North Carolina ahead of match one.

Manchester City have called upon an initial 27-man squad for their first fixture against Celtic this week, with further players expected to arrive further down the line after their summer holidays, including Mateo Kovacic and Josko Gvardiol.

Manchester City’s full 27-man squad for match one of the USA pre-season tour: Ederson, Ortega, Carson; Lewis, Samuel, Mfuni, Mbete, Katongo, Simpson-Pusey, Galvez, Doyle, Wilson-Esbrand; Susoho, Wright, Perrone, Phillips, O’Reilly, Oboavwoduo, McAtee; Fatah, Heskey, Haaland, Grealish, Bobb, Ndala, Hamilton, Knight.