New Delhi: Manchester City academy is known for producing some of the top talents. Specifically in the last decade or so, City’s youth programmes and academy has improved a lot with some of the most gifted players moving up the ranks to prove their undiscovered talents. The next player in the line has to be last night’s hat-trick hero, the English midfielder James McAtee. Considered as one of the hottest prodigies of the City academy, McAtee is slowly starting to make a name for himself in the first team.
The Englishman showed his class in an FA Cup round three clash against Salford, where he scored his first ever senior hat-trick for the Sky Blues to help them demolish League two side 8-0. Small game make a big difference, and that is something that Pep Guardiola has to take into consideration with regard to the confidence that is brewing in the 22-year-old midfielder. It is never easy to find a spot in a star-studded Mnchester City lineup, where even the most talented youth products need to have the patience to climb up the ladder and make it into the first team.
As for McAtee, his growth has been tremendous after spending two loan spells at Sheffield United, where both the stints turned out to be successful for the youngster. This season, he has showed why Pep Guardiola is willing to put his trust on the youth product as he has sparked glimses of his brilliance for the Sky Blues’ first team. This hat-trick was just an example of how good McAtee is, as he is one of the most successful recent youth players in the academy.
Back when he was a part of the U-18 squad, he had impressive number for the Cityzens and it only got better as he got promoted further. He was already given a taste of Champions League football back in 2021/22 season when he just made it out of the U-19 squad. However, a months back, he scored his first ever Champions League goal against Slovan Bratislava this season.
Pep needs to play him more often
James McAtee began the evening without a goal at The Etihad for @ManCity.
He ended it with a hat-trick.#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/bIrH0wD2yW
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
This season, Manchester City have had trouble finding a reliable goal threat outside of Erling Haaland. Even though City just defeated Salford yesterday, there were hints that McAtee might help in this area for the rest of the season. He showed his ability to score goals, which might open up additional playing time for McAtee. However, at the same time it is more likely to see him on the bench rather, as he has barely manged to get any play time so far in the league.
Although he had a quiet first half against Salford, he showed glimpses of threat that he can produce on the pitch. He need to gain the confidence on bigger stages of Premier League that would certainly benefit his growth at the club. Still just 22, this is the time that Pep needs to give him the exposure he needs to grow and become the player he can be. With a possible departure of City’s legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne next season, AcAtee’s chances of getting the minutes might spike up, that too in his preferred position as an offensive midfielder.
He portrayed his ability to get into danger areas and provide the final touch against Salford in each of the goals that he scored. Besides, his vision and playmaking are two attributes that can improve with time under the guidance of the mastermind, Pep Guardiola. It seems like City is the team where his playing style would suit the most. His time at Sheffield suggested that he can be a crucial part in the middle of the park. He had nine goal contributions in all competition last season, when he was sent to Sheffield on loan.
Neglegance might lead to regrets for Pep Guardiola
James McAtee is still shining despite some of the stars he came up alongside at @ManCity 📈#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/cjiTTeNwR0
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 11, 2025
There are not alot of things that might haunt Pep Guardiola once he looks back to his legendary time at Manchester City. However, one thing that would sting pretty hard would certainly be Cole Palmer’s departure from the club. A home grown talent who spent his youth career playing for City’s academy, and currently he is without a doubt one of the best players in the world. After a quite unbelievable season at Chelsea, Palmer keeps growing and this season he hasn’t stopped either, which suggests that City are already regretting selling him to the Blues.
One of the main reasons why Palmer was keen on leaving the club was the fact that Pep didn’t give him the minutes to prove himself. To be fair, it was pretty hard to get into that star-studded City lineup for any youngster but despite the praises that Pep had for Palmer, it seems like he misunderstood Palmer and what he could do on the pitch. Two years later, we all know who Cole Palmer is and how good he has been for Chelsea.
If we compare Palmer’s time at City youth club, there’s not much of a difference when it comes to stats, if we compare it with McAtee’s. Both turned out to be excellent for the academy, scoring goals for fun. However, Palmer is already progressing forward and has established himself as one of the very best in the league and McAtee is slowly making his own progress. It’s important for Pep Guardiola that he takes his situation into consideration and gives him more minutes on the pitch.
It is clear to see that McAtee can cause a lot of trouble for the oposition if Pep is willing to put his faith on him. With the 22-year-old’s confidence growing with every appearance, who knows, we might just be witnessing the development of another unbelievable Manchester City product by the name of James McAtee.
Pep Guardiola might just be risking repeating the Cole Palmer regret if he doesn’t give James McAtee more playing time in bigger competitions for Manchester City. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
