“It’s one of the better days of my life.” That’s how James McAtee described the moment after scoring his first goal for Manchester City in their Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava. Speaking by the team bus after the match, the 21-year-old beamed with pride. Having debuted for City over three years ago, McAtee spent the last two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, sharpening his skills. Now, he’s back and ready to make his mark under Pep Guardiola, though it’s clear he’s facing the biggest challenge of his career.
McAtee made some bold choices over the past few years, opting for loan moves that weren’t always City’s first pick. But those decisions paid off, and he returned to the Etihad with a fresh mindset—knowing this could be his last chance to secure a spot at his childhood club. He turned down offers for regular playing time elsewhere, determined to fight for his place at City, even if that means fewer minutes on the pitch.
While McAtee has the technical ability and vision that Guardiola admires, the manager has been straightforward: McAtee won’t be a regular starter this season. So far, his appearances have been limited to a few brief cameos, including just eight minutes in the Premier League. Yet, the young midfielder isn’t discouraged. He understands that dropping into games with little playing time is tough, but he’s staying focused.
“It is hard. I think it’s one of the hardest things to do, to not play and come straight onto a pitch,” McAtee admitted. “But I have to keep on doing what I’m doing, keep my head down and keep up with the lads as much as I can.”
Despite the challenges, McAtee believes he’s improving. Playing more centrally this season, he’s found his rhythm again. His performance against Slovan showed his growth—calm, composed, and sharp as he netted a goal with ease.
His celebration, though, was a bit chaotic. In the excitement, McAtee ran to celebrate with the fans only to realize he didn’t know where they were! His parents, meanwhile, weren’t in the stands—they were back in Northampton watching his older brother John, who signed with Bolton this summer. The two brothers are used to supporting each other from afar, with John being a crucial guide when James struggled to adapt to senior football at Sheffield United.
While family is always in his corner, McAtee also has the backing of Pep Guardiola. After the match, Guardiola shared that he believes in McAtee’s potential, perhaps more than McAtee believes in himself at times. Knowing he has Guardiola’s trust is a massive confidence boost as he fights to establish himself in what is arguably the best squad in the world.
“Basically he’s telling me to go and have fun. A bit more tactical but go and be myself and feel good about myself,” McAtee explained.
With a little freedom and belief, McAtee is determined to seize his chances. He knows it won’t be easy, but his breakthrough performance in Bratislava is proof that he’s ready to rise to the challenge.
