McAtee whether right or wrong probably feels he's at the stage of his career where he needs to be playing top flight football, there's no such thing as a bad Prem loan move for his own progression right now even if they're relegated.
It's up to him to impress now he's made that decision on his own he's gotta back up his own judgement, this loan move should still be very beneficial no matter what happens it's not impossible he impresses even if they badly struggle.
This loan is still better than any championship loan nothing beats playing in the toughest league in the world, it's a true test of his minerals although you could draw similarities with Patrick Roberts over going against our wishes, at least he's not doing it in a league on level league below his level like Roberts did being an idiot.
There's arguments to say Ajax another rumoured move and playing UCL football might have been a test but maybe he needs the week in week out intensity, playing for a better championship team or even Ajax isn't going to give him that intensity or toughen him up as much as this move will.
That's the most important thing for James he obviously believes he has the quality he just needs to show his toughness, think he's chosen this fight because he wants the challenge of surviving and proving his work ethic hopefully it pays off. Maybe he doesn't necessarily need a fine tuning loan at a team who play good football but just tough experiences the best no.10s go through, like David Silva having loans at Segunda side Eibar or a struggling Celta Vigo in La Liga he come through both when he could've bided his time to break through.
