87 | James McAtee - 2024/25

[ChicagoBlue]

We'll see. Time will tell, I guess. Just out of curiosity (not having a pop; not about this anyway!); in the scenario I put forward earlier, who would you leave out to accommodate James? Bernie, Phil, Kev?

Bit early for those “choices” isn’t it?

Let the lad breathe in the rarefied air of the Man City First Team squad, and get some minutes before making comparisons with the universal POTY 2023-24, one of the best players to ever play the game and Captain Belgium, and the Portuguese wizard that Captains his country, too. Two of them are in the twilight of their careers and he may just be a replacement for one of them IF he can grow from here under Pep’s tutelage…and that of the two players themselves.

He may never make it here, but today is not the day for a decision like that.

 

[Gabriel]

We’re unlikely ever to have a fully fit squad, so there will definitely be game time ahead for him. What is noticeable is that he looks comfortable playing at the international level, despite having had little domestic football to date, so I can only imagine he will improve further. He’ll ultimately gravitate to the centre of the park, but, for now, we could use his attributes more effectively on the right wing when we have Doku on the left.

 

[bobom]

Bit early for those “choices” isn’t it?

Let the lad breathe in the rarefied air of the Man City First Team squad, and get some minutes before making comparisons with the universal POTY 2023-24, one of the best players to ever play the game and Captain Belgium, and the Portuguese wizard that Captains his country, too. Two of them are in the twilight of their careers and he may just be a replacement for one of them IF he can grow from here under Pep’s tutelage…and that of the two players themselves.

He may never make it here, but today is not the day for a decision like that.

Spot on. You know, the pipeline into the first team works just fine. People forget how long Foden took to get a regular spot. He wasn't picked over Silva, or KDB, or Mahrez at first but got just a few minutes here and there for a LONG time. Rico Lewis has been slightly different. I even think Palmer would have had a breakout season for us last year had he stayed.... McAtee gets his chances every day in training - he just needs to keep showing what he can do.

 

[Gabriel]

Time for James to be given his chance. Doesn’t need to do anything special, just fit into the system and get the minutes.

 

[come-on-barney]

What is the point of him not going on loan, if you are not going to give him game time.

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Time for James to be given his chance. Doesn’t need to do anything special, just fit into the system and get the minutes.

I completely agree. I mentioned it in the Nunes thread, but I really wonder why they weren't brought on for Gundo or Bernardo today.

 

[meeesh]

He starts Tuesday that’s for sure

 

[Irishblue93]

I would have thrown him on for the last 15 today

 

[Gabriel]

I completely agree. I mentioned it in the Nunes thread, but I really wonder why they weren't brought on for Gundo or Bernardo today.

Neither have really featured and I guess it wasn’t a game for bleeding anyone over whom there is a doubt. As I’ve said elsewhere, though, those two now need to be given significant game time. We’re picking up injuries faster than we probably reckoned on, and there’s no guarantee that others won’t drop, too, so it’s all hands to the pump.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Bit early for those “choices” isn’t it?

Let the lad breathe in the rarefied air of the Man City First Team squad, and get some minutes before making comparisons with the universal POTY 2023-24, one of the best players to ever play the game and Captain Belgium, and the Portuguese wizard that Captains his country, too. Two of them are in the twilight of their careers and he may just be a replacement for one of them IF he can grow from here under Pep’s tutelage…and that of the two players themselves.

He may never make it here, but today is not the day for a decision like that.

I expect he'll start on Tuesday! Hope he does. And feeds Erling another hat trick!

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

He has to start against Watford. If he doesn’t then he needs to go on loan in January.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

I completely agree. I mentioned it in the Nunes thread, but I really wonder why they weren't brought on for Gundo or Bernardo today.

Pep brought on 4 subs and they all played OK.
McAtees time will come

 

[Jonas.shaffer]

Pep brought on 4 subs and they all played OK.
McAtees time will come

Not enough attacking subs, IMO. Keeping Bernardo and Gundo on was bizarre. It's not like McAtee is the type to lose the ball, either.

 

[Xhavenjoe]

Not enough attacking subs, IMO. Keeping Bernardo and Gundo on was bizarre. It's not like McAtee is the type to lose the ball, either.

Kovacic had to come on and Grealish and Foden came on.
McAtee will get plenty of game time before the end of the season.

 

[Keeper!]

He will get 90 minutes against Watform as will Nunes and co, time for them to shine and give Pep a nudge.

If Rodri is our for any length of time he and Nunes will be getting lot's of minutes.

 

[KDB4ever]

Looking forward to seeing him play against Watford.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Excellent first start and he could have easily had two assists. So composed on the ball.

He looked a bit rusty at times, but that’s expected considering he hasn’t played all season and was playing as a false 9 at times.

Needs more opportunities in the first team.

 

[BlueDejong]

MotM for me, really impressive.

 

[Gabriel]

Tired in the last ten minutes but worked hard on and off the ball. Needs to play again soon because we cannot afford to have him and Nunes not playing for weeks on end.

 

[jollylescott]

Played really well. He nicked the ball for our first goal, and he put in a phenomenal effort defensively. Well done James!