Manchester City midfielder James McAtee was an unused substitute yet again for the 1-1 draw versus Everton on Boxing Day.
Manager Pep Guardiola has given the 22-year-old just two brief cameos in the Premier League this season despite the club’s struggles.
Considering the need for greater creativity, supporters on X have been left wondering what McAtee has to do for Guardiola to give him more minutes on the pitch:
ridiculous
— Jøe (@guynamedjoe_) December 26, 2024
Pep needs to give him minutes. It’s a joke! He’s looked good whenever he’s played. Give the lad a chance!
— James Robinson (@Jtr22James) December 26, 2024
Pep won’t even sub him on
I don’t even blame academy players for not wanting to stay at city cuz my Goodness pep will never start you unless he likes you— Mars 💫 (@TopCityznn) December 26, 2024
Why pep why pep ?????
Just answer @pepteam— Nature (@nature_is_lov1) December 26, 2024
I think he will go on loan or be sold in January
— Dat Nguyen (@Daniel_Nguyen07) December 26, 2024
Absolutely shambolic
— SlaWin (@Daniel62240397) December 26, 2024
McAtee won’t leave City in January
The England Under 21 international does have suitors, with the likes of West Ham, Crystal Palace and Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen having all been credited with an interest in the player in recent weeks.
However, when asked whether the Cityzens would be prepared to offload McAtee earlier this week, Guardiola said he doesn’t want to let him go.
It was another poor performance from City
Despite Erling Haaland missing a penalty, Guardiola’s men didn’t really deserve to win. They laboured for long stretches of the game.
For that reason, the manager’s continued refusal to play McAtee in midfield is baffling. Many fans believe he could offer a lot more than the likes of Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan and Mateo Kovacic are currently producing. It will be interesting to see whether he will get any minutes against Leicester on Sunday.
Find out who is in Manchester City’s first-team squad for the 2024/2025 season here
