Is another young talent set to leave Manchester City? | OneFootball

So far this season James McAtee has failed to make an impact. A lack of opportunity has seen the promising young playmaker barely feature for Manchester City this season. Even as Pep Guardiola’s side has battled an injury crisis McAtee has been unable to get on the pitch. The situation surrounding McAtee did leave you wondering if he can’t get an opportunity now at Manchester City when will he?

Now a new report has emerged that the England youth international is seeking to leave the world champions. If that proves to be the case then another young talent could be about to skip through Manchester City’s fingers. If McAtee does decide to leave the world champions, he will be following in the footsteps of Cole Palmer, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Liam Delap and others who have decided to further their careers elsewhere.

Edmund Brack has reported for London News Online that Crystal Palace have James McAtee on their list of transfer targets in January. Brack further reports that McAtee is eager to leave Manchester City. Furthermore, Brack reports that McAtee has an asking price of around £20 million set by the world champions. Furthermore, Brack adds that Fulham and West Ham have both also been linked with a potential move of James McAtee.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see James McAtee leave Manchester City during the January transfer window.

Based on Edmund Brack’s report there does appear to be no shortage of suitors lining up to sign James McAtee. Crystal Palace now look to be joining the race to sign the young attacking midfielder. There is no doubt that McAtee is a talented young player. But as this season has progressed, you do get the sense that playing regularly for Manchester City may be a step too far for McAtee at this stage of his career.

As per transfermarkt.com McAtee has only made 7 appearances in all competitions for Manchester City. The vast majority of those have been substitute appearances. His most recent appearance for Pep Guardiola’s side was as a late substitute during City’s 3-all draw with Feyenoord last Tuesday.

McAtee wasn’t given an opportunity to impress during Manchester City’s recent injury crisis. That suggests that Pep Guardiola doesn’t see him as a player who can regularly aid City’s cause just yet. You have to wonder if McAtee will ever get that opportunity at Manchester City. In the role that he plays, there is Phil Foden, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva and Ilkay Gundogan, all in front of McAtee in the pecking order. It’s hard to see how the young playmaker can crack into Pep Guardiola’s lineup based on who is currently standing in McAtee’s way.

Given the fact that McAtee is 22 years of age, it may be time for him to leave Manchester City to further his career. Perhaps that move may come in January. If that does happen McAtee would become another young talent that has left Manchester City for more opportunities elsewhere. What that would illustrate is just how hard it is to make the step up from City’s EDS system into a regular role in City’s first-team.