87 | James McAtee 2025/2026

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Has shades of Bernardo, but nowhere near the utility or industriousness.

Seems like a nice fella, but he isn’t going to get a look-in at City for the next few years at least, so let’s grab real money for him before he leaves of his own accord.
 
WallyA said:
I think he has been good for the england u21s in this tournament.

But he hasn't stood out to me, Anderson and Elliott were more standouts.

I still didn't see someone who is good enough to break into our squad, he has stagnated for me for a few years.
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When I've seen Anderson for Forest he's just seemed a scrapper, and a little dirty. Seeing him differently now because of the couple of games I've seen in this tournament, he's got much more ability than I thought. Potentially a very good player.
 
Lovebitesandeveryfing said:
Genuine, curious question. Have you been along to see him play? (Or watched full matches on the OS?) I honestly know almost nothing about him. What are his strengths?

Remember — as I'm sure you do — that there are a number of players who look absolute mustard at EDS level. Simply, when we're talking about City's first team, we're talking about breaking into what has been unquestionably one of the top three or four club sides in the world over the last seven years or so (they were the best club side in the world in the 2022-23 season, no reasonable argument about it). Many are called. Few are chosen.
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Only watched him about 5 times for our young lads in the Youth Cup games and in the highlights but looks to have really quick feet, serious pace can go either side of the defender and has a finish and a final ball in his locker. He was injured for the final and we looked toothless without him. Size may hold him back as he's quite small but he's strong and quick. Think we have a player there. Mfuni and Henderson Hall are 2 others who really impressed me.
 
bobom said:
This might be a short thread as he's liley to leave, but wanted to give a shout-out for his man of the match in the final of the U21s yesterday. Got an assist and lots of good bits of play.

Not sure how his tournament has been overall, as I've not seen enough matches. From what I've seen it will have done him good, playing a lot and being captain, winning the trophy, which is brilliant.

Sometimes feels to me that he is not the kind of player - yet - to really put his stamp on matches consistently, but the tournament should have made it much more likely that he'll attract some good offers.
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Yeah. When I saw him over the road i thought he was gonna be another Foden but he hasn't quite evolved - yet! Yer can see from some instances that he has the touch and talent, and he's driven the U21s this time round, but it doesn't translate seamlessly into the PL.
 
The Norfolk Blue said:
Yes, hopefully abroad with a decent sell on.

Thought he was very good in the Final, bar his finishing. Chuffed to bits that a Manchester City player was Captain of an England U21' Trophy winning side though.
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Yeah, that's surely an advert for (among other things) the City academy. That he cannot break into the first team doesn't seem to me to be that prohibitive. Young talented teenage footballers may dream, but they're not stupid. For them to go on to have a proper career at a decent level is already the realisation of a dream. Thousands of footballers dream of that. Only a few hundred, at most, in any given year, make it to professional level — and in England I take that to mean going from Prem right down to the National League (not sure what the standing of the National League North and South is).
To be paid to do what you always really enjoyed doing anyway, from a kid onwards — how many people on here can say that?
 
mattcity5 said:
When I've seen Anderson for Forest he's just seemed a scrapper, and a little dirty. Seeing him differently now because of the couple of games I've seen in this tournament, he's got much more ability than I thought. Potentially a very good player.
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I have been very impressed with Anderson during the u21 competition, and he clearly has far more ability than just as a destroyer.
 
Tugay One Cup said:
He's a lot more effective in the final third than Bernardo.
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Against poor teams maybe. Against the best teams I'd back Bernardo to contribute more goals/assists. Bernardo is our top scorer vs Real, has scored goals at Anfield and Old Trafford. He's been as good in big games as KDB (and more than David, being MOTM vs Bayern, Real, Liverpool, etc.).
 
alexmcity said:
Against poor teams maybe. Against the best teams I'd back Bernardo to contribute more goals/assists. Bernardo is our top scorer vs Real, has scored goals at Anfield and Old Trafford. He's been as good in big games as KDB (and more than David, being MOTM vs Bayern, Real, Liverpool, etc.).
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That comparison is pointless because so far in his career McAtee hasn't been starting against the big teams.

But overall, at every level they have both played, McAtee is a better finisher and has better instincts in terms of positioning and arriving late in the box.
 
Tugay One Cup said:
That comparison is pointless because so far in his career McAtee hasn't been starting against the big teams.

But overall, at every level they have both played, McAtee is a better finisher and has better instincts in terms of positioning and arriving late in the box.
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I'm sure the only reason McAtee hasn't scored 4 goals vs Real in CL quarters and semis is because he hasn't been given the chance.

Aguero and KDB had the chance but couldn't outscore Bernardo at Old Trafford and Anfield. Bernie is fantastic in the biggest games. Shouldn't be difficult to appreciate his offensive contributions in such games.
 
I'd like to see this guy stay.

Great skill and ability
Knows our systems and strategies
Has demonstrated leadership potential, maybe not the strong man style, but has led the U21 national team to success.

OK, needs to improve on strength/tenacity and ability to influence game, but none of our players (injured Rodri excepted) especially the new ones are complete, by any stretch of the imagination. Some of that might come with game time and we won't know unless we play him more, but it's a tough choice because plenty of others are working hard to lay claim to that game time.

All that said, I think he will be sold and the fans of another team will be singing his name in another year or two.
 
HorlockofFiretopMountain said:
I'd like to see this guy stay.

Great skill and ability
Knows our systems and strategies
Has demonstrated leadership potential, maybe not the strong man style, but has led the U21 national team to success.

OK, needs to improve on strength/tenacity and ability to influence game, but none of our players (injured Rodri excepted) especially the new ones are complete, by any stretch of the imagination. Some of that might come with game time and we won't know unless we play him more, but it's a tough choice because plenty of others are working hard to lay claim to that game time.

All that said, I think he will be sold and the fans of another team will be singing his name in another year or two.
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Me too, but it is so hard to see him getting the game time that he needs and deserves.
 
oldius said:
Me too, but it is so hard to see him getting the game time that he needs and deserves.
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It's a pity, but Pep has a very strong idea about what he wants in terms character, work ethic, skill, adaptability and football intelligence. No matter the contribution or the desire to stay at the club, if a player doesn't fit into his jigsaw they aren't going to last....we learnt that very early in his tenure with what happened to Joe Hart.
 
HorlockofFiretopMountain said:
It's a pity, but Pep has a very strong idea about what he wants in terms character, work ethic, skill, adaptability and football intelligence. No matter the contribution or the desire to stay at the club, if a player doesn't fit into his jigsaw they aren't going to last....we learnt that very early in his tenure with what happened to Joe Hart.
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Indeed. He just has better players ahead of him at this stage of his development, and they are young too.
 
hope we dont let him go so cheaply as 20-25m.
can totally see him impress at his next club and signing for Chelsea in 2 years time for 60m lol.
 
Damanino said:
hope we dont let him go so cheaply as 20-25m.
can totally see him impress at his next club and signing for Chelsea in 2 years time for 60m lol.
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Xhavenjoe said:
It does seem to be on the cheap side

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Problem is he has one year left on his contract and he wont sign another one. Talent potential makes £20-£25m cheap, contract situation means its that or he leaves for nothing in 12 months
 
BedsBlue68 said:
Problem is he has one year left on his contract and he wont sign another one. Talent potential makes £20-£25m cheap, contract situation means its that or he leaves for nothing in 12 months
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Take the money.
The lad has the skill set. But watched him closely over the last few seasons. Not sure he has the fire in his belly to succeed at the very top.
Stevie Ireland regen
 
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