Phil SumblerManchester City appear to be locked in a three way battle for the Premier League crown and, whilst they currently hold pole position in that regard, Pep Guardiola is determined to ensure it stays that way and that could thwart Swansea City in their pursuit of James McAtee.
It has been widely reported that Russell Martin is a fan of McAtee and sees him as a perfect fit into his midfield.ย ย McAtee is described as being “particularly gifted in taking, carrying and distributing the ball in tight spaces” which is music to the ears of the Swansea boss who is trying to shape his team to play just that way.
However, whilst McAtee and Swansea may be a good fit, City are reluctant to let him go.ย They feel at the moment he could learn more from the likes of Ilkay Gundogan, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva which, given the way they ripped the heart out of Leeds United on Tuesday night, it is impossible to argue with.
McAtee is a player destined for a big future and Guardiola sees him very much as part of the City squad.ย ย He maybe unlikely to be on a trajectory to knock any of the previously mentioned out of the team at the moment but Guardiola is aware that his squad is not the biggest and he would prefer to keep hold of the talented youngsters in his squad so they are ready for action when they are needed.
The players is yet to sign his new deal at City but there is a confidence within the Ethiad that he will and, with 18 months to run on his current deal, there is no requirement for that to happen instantly.
Guardiola was clear in his view that he did not see loans happening “They’ll stay here. We don’t have loans and we need them,” he said when asked about potential moves for McAtee and others.
“Development at the moment is to show they can play every week. After seeing which manager is there. We try to let them improve in the way we believe.
“As managers maybe they should go, go the way they want to play. They can do it in the second team but they aren’t strong enough in the competition to make the step.
“They are training with the first team, the competition is so high, the quality the rhythm. That’s why it’s good to stay with us.”
According to the MEN, the only potential for a McAtee loan is if he really pushed to go somewhere for regular football but it is now widely believed that this will not happen and, assuming that is the case, it is time for Martin to look elsewhere to bolster his midfield in the January window.
