It’s time a forgotten City youngster was given a chance to impress | OneFootball

As Manchester City went down 2-1 to Aston Villa on Saturday you did get the sense that City’s senior players just can’t do what is required. Age, fatigue, poor form and a heavy schedule have all conspired against Pep Guardiola’s most trusted players this season. Pep Guardiola’s side needs fresh legs in midfield. Perhaps it’s time to allow one forgotten City youngster to show what he can do. Cause after winning only one of their past twelve games it can’t get any worse for Manchester City.

The City youngster in question is James McAtee. Perhaps it’s time for Pep Guardiola to give him an opportunity in the first team. McAtee has barely featured this season for Manchester City. All told he has only played two minutes of Premier League football all season. That isn’t enough for McAtee to show what he can do. For whatever reason he hasn’t been trusted by Pep Guardiola at all this season. Maybe McAtee isn’t good enough to play for Manchester City. Or maybe he is. But he hasn’t had the opportunity to play at all so it’s impossible to judge the England youth international as a Manchester City player.

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But it’s clear to see that Manchester City’s midfield lacks the energy and drive to keep up with their opponents. Even out wide on the right wing, Bernardo Silva isn’t offering a lot. It could be time to allow James McAtee just to show what he has got. He can’t do any worse than what his teammates are doing. McAtee could play on the right or in midfield just behind Erling Haaland. He can play both roles as he’s shown during his young career.

But perhaps it’s just time for Pep Guardiola to try something different. What Manchester City are doing currently just isn’t working. That is obvious to see. There isn’t a magical solution to City’s woes sitting amongst Pep Guardiola’s squad. But perhaps it’s just time to allow McAtee to show what he can do for Manchester City. City may just find a player who can contribute in amongst the carnage that has been the 24/25 season.