This week saw numerous Manchester City youngsters make their first-team debut in the League Cup. And one such name was James McAtee.
The City Academy talent is regarded as one of the most unique and exciting names currently coming through the set-up at the Manchester club. The teenage midfielder has an astonishing 11 goals in just seven appearances this campaign at youth level.
With such an impressive record, you would expect Salford-born McAtee to feature in midfield or attacker for City this week. However, this was not to be the case.
Pep Guardiola opted to play the 18-year-old at left-back. However, McAtee has since revealed that this decision was down to the player and not the City coach.
Speaking to City TV via the Manchester Evening News, McAtee said: “When he [Guardiola] shouted me over, I was like, ‘wow, it’s happening’.”
“It was just a buzz. When I came on, I was smiling the whole way through. When I came on I went left-back. Pep said, ‘can you play there?’ I said anything to get on the pitch and I just tried my hardest. The other players talked to me, helped me out. It was just good to be on the pitch.”
Indeed, given McAtee’s incredible goal record, it was a shock to see the attacking talent play in defence. However, these comments paint a picture that it was his decision to operate in the role.
Yet on social media, fans loved McAtee’s attitude to giving it all to City. Here’s what some fans had to say on Twitter about the youngster’s comments…
https://twitter.com/mikewetton97/status/1440640911604547599
https://twitter.com/Harveycity16/status/1440629492137881602
https://twitter.com/TJ932O/status/1440633956827762688
https://twitter.com/Ftbl_Lixm/status/1440629960364855297
https://twitter.com/Keletso_Kippax/status/1440613512506580994
https://twitter.com/_PERFECTN0W/status/1440601210541674503
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