Pep Guardiola heaped praise on James McAtee after the young midfielder impressed during his cameo appearance in Manchester City's 2-0 victory over Leicester. McAtee replaced Phil Foden just after the hour mark and played a key role in the second goal, which was scored by Erling Haaland. Guardiola, who has always shown confidence in McAtee, compared the 21-year-old to other young talents who have emerged from City’s academy in recent years, including Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
McAtee’s performance against Leicester was a significant moment in his development, as he demonstrated maturity and composure on the ball. Guardiola was quick to highlight the positive impact McAtee made when he came on, saying, “Every action he has done today was good, didn’t do anything wrong.” The manager's comments reflect his high regard for the young Englishman and the trust he has in him to perform when called upon.
In his assessment of McAtee’s progress, Guardiola also noted how the midfielder had grown significantly during his loan spell at Sheffield United, where he was a key figure in their push for promotion to the Premier League. He grew up a lot in Sheffield United, Guardiola said, recognizing how valuable that experience had been in shaping McAtee into a more complete player. His time in the Championship allowed him to develop the physicality and tactical awareness needed for top-flight football, and Guardiola believes this has prepared him well for City’s demanding environment.
Guardiola further praised the young players coming through City's academy, highlighting the generation that McAtee is part of, which includes talents like Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, and Taylor Harwood-Belis. According to Guardiola, McAtee was the captain of this impressive cohort, a responsibility that further demonstrates his leadership qualities and potential. “Macca was captain of this generation,” Guardiola added, showing his belief in McAtee’s ability to lead on and off the pitch.
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The City boss also confirmed his desire to keep McAtee at the club, expressing his confidence that the midfielder can contribute to the first team in the future. I told Tixi I want him to stay, I always had the feeling he can play with us, Guardiola said, referring to club director of football Txiki Begiristain. This statement is a clear indication that Guardiola sees McAtee as part of Manchester City's long-term plans, and the young player’s future at the club looks bright.
With McAtee's ability to make an impact in key moments, it seems likely that Guardiola will continue to give him opportunities in the coming months. The midfielder's potential, combined with his recent performance against Leicester, suggests that he is on the cusp of establishing himself as a valuable asset for Manchester City soon.
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