87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

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Haaland94 said:


Well then, if true, Pep did not give him enough minutes, simple as.
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it would be so disappointing. I’m completely losing faith in thinking our academy players will get a chance. It doesn’t matter how good they are, we always seem to want ready made or 50/60m players - when we already have the talent in the academy.

No doubt he’ll end up being one of the best in the league. What on earth are we doing
 
It was telling that Pep brought on the ageing veterans (Gundo and Walker) ahead of McAtee during the West Ham game.

I personally found that decision inexcusable (particularly after the excellent cameo the previous game) and may well have been the last straw for McAtee.

Every other club in the league are prepared to give top class youth players an opportunity, other than City. The inevitable consequence is that players like Palmer and McAtee disappear, never to be seen again.
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
I’d love to know why he doesn’t trust our academy players.
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Because he’s got a massive blind spot. Even Pep’s not perfect, this is a big weakness.

He managed Foden perfectly but apart from that his record in being through our youth prospects is frankly piss poor.

Some happy clappers will be along in a second to argue otherwise no doubt.
 
Johnny Mars Bar said:
Because he’s got a massive blind spot. Even Pep’s not perfect, this is a big weakness.

He managed Foden perfectly but apart from that his record in being through our youth prospects is frankly piss poor.

Some happy clappers will be along in a second to argue otherwise no doubt.
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I agree. Our record with young players is shocking. Hate to say it, but it feels like pep would rather get the cheque book out than develop youngsters.

I could be wrong, but even the players we are linked with make me question how bobb gets a proper chance.

For me seeing academy players in the first team means more than signing £50m players. Maybe I’m over dramatic, but I’m starting to get fed up of it now.
 
They will really have to convince of him the clear out is coming soon to get him to stay next season.

KdB, Bernie, Gundogan all basically have to leave if Marmoush is coming and to convince McAtee there is space for him.

The lack of minutes is on Pep.
 
WallyA said:
They will really have to convince of him the clear out is coming soon to get him to stay next season.

KdB, Bernie, Gundogan all basically have to leave if Marmoush is coming and to convince McAtee there is space for him.

The lack of minutes is on Pep.
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Think they will leave but also think next season Bobb will be ahead of McAtee, so he may be better leaving.
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
I’d love to know why he doesn’t trust our academy players or is it just there to make money now.
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It was always there to make assets and sell them. There was never even the smallest inkling of belief we'd make a 1st team player. The maths is simple. Please disagree if you see fit.

1. City are already, or permanently aspire to be, in the top 10 club sides in world football. Agree?

2. Those squads are 25 in number, so there are 250 players in total, and the number of players age 18 who graduate into those squads from whatever academy in any year is probably no more than 10. Agree?

3. So here's the reality, of all the football academies across the globe, of which there are thousands, there are only 10 players worldwide, who are graduating to the standard that a top 10 team like City would require. Agree?

4. That means, the reality is, that we would be fortunate to generate perhaps even 1 player in every 20 years, who is truly of the class that he can complete his career within one of those top 10 teams. That's a mathematical fact!

Some may say Foden is that one? Others may question whether he can do it for a full career like a Silva or Aguero type? One thing for certain is Rico Lewis is not that one player, but perhaps Palmer was and we never saw it!

Feeling bad about losing McAtee is probably based more on the fact that few of our current squad, if made available for sale, would generate any interest from the other top 9 teams, and that is 100% proof that our club's standing has drifted terribly in the last few seasons.
 
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jollylescott said:
It was telling that Pep brought on the ageing veterans (Gundo and Walker) ahead of McAtee during the West Ham game.

I personally found that decision inexcusable (particularly after the excellent cameo the previous game) and may well have been the last straw for McAtee.

Every other club in the league are prepared to give top class youth players an opportunity, other than City. The inevitable consequence is that players like Palmer and McAtee disappear, never to be seen again.
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Did you want him to bring McAtee on in defence? Or as a holding midfielder?

He brought him on ahead of Grealish, Doku and Nunes when he wanted to make an attacking change.
 
CatMan said:
It was always there to make assets and sell them. There was never even the smallest inkling of belief we'd make a 1st team player. The maths is simple. Please disagree if you see fit.

1. City are already, or permanently aspire to be, in the top 10 club sides in world football. Agree?

2. Those squads are 25 in number, so there are 250 players in total, and the number of players age 18 who graduate into those squads from whatever academy in any year is probably no more 10. Agree?

3. So here's the reality, of all the football academies across the globe, of which there are thousands, there are only 10 players worldwide, who are graduating to the standard that a top 10 team like City would require. Agree?
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I don’t agree with the top point. The academy is also there bring through first team players. There not telling local younger lads ‘there’s no chance you’ll play for the team you support’. The problem is when it comes to peps sheer reluctance to trust youth.

We have some of the best young players in the country. They aren’t making us weaker if they come off the bench or say a Mcatee gets a chance. No one expects all of them to be given a chance either or be guaranteed first team players.

Players like palmer, delap, lavia and Mcatee are more than talented enough to meet the required standard (obviously they might need loans moves or patience). The reality is we’ve signed players like Doku and nunes and wasted millions when we had more talented youngsters in my opinion - you don’t need maths to see that.
 
Cheadle_hulmeBlue said:
I don’t agree with the top point. The academy is also there bring through first team players. There not telling local younger lads ‘there’s no chance you’ll play for the team you support’.
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They’re giving young players the very best opportunities to become professional footballers

I’d suggest that’s what’s important to youth players & other than Chelsea, I think we’re head & shoulders above the rest in the UK at achieving this

For me, that’s what makes a successful academy. Getting players in our first team squad is just an added bonus & we have a few so it’s incredibly successful imo
 
Maly said:
They’re giving young players the very best opportunities to become professional footballers

I’d suggest that’s what’s important to youth players & other than Chelsea, I think we’re head & shoulders above the rest in the UK at achieving this

For me, that’s what makes a successful academy. Getting players in our first team squad is just an added bonus & we have a few so it’s incredibly successful imo
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All true.
I think the only downside is that a good bulk of the money raised from these sales has been frittered away on some overly expensive and poor buys recently.
Some of the players brought in are more expensive and worse footballers than those that have left.
 
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