‘He’s Going Nowhere!’ – Pep Guardiola Breaks His Silence on James McAtee’s Future as Bayer Leverkusen Circles Like Sharks!
Rising Manchester City star James McAtee has found himself enjoying a promising revival in Pep Guardiola’s squad throughout 2025, particularly during the club’s FA Cup campaign. The 22-year-old midfielder has been gradually edging back into the spotlight, even earning his first Premier League start of the year in a thrilling 5-2 victory over Crystal Palace—a performance that only further highlighted his growing potential.
Though McAtee is yet to become a mainstay in City’s star-studded lineup, his performances whenever given the chance have not gone unnoticed. Whether through direct goal contributions or intelligent involvement in attacking play, the Salford-born midfielder continues to make his mark and draw praise from both fans and pundits alike.
Despite these encouraging signs, questions persist over McAtee’s long-term role at the Etihad Stadium. The main concern revolves around the lack of consistent game time, which could ultimately push the talented youngster to consider his options away from Manchester. Several clubs, both domestic and abroad, are reportedly keeping a close eye on the situation.
Earlier this month, reports emerged linking Bundesliga high-flyers Bayer Leverkusen with a strong interest in McAtee’s services. Meanwhile, Premier League outfit Nottingham Forest are also said to be admirers, having tracked the young playmaker’s development over the past couple of seasons.
Amid growing speculation, Guardiola addressed McAtee’s future during a recent press conference, offering insight into both the player’s importance to the team and the challenges of squad management at a club like City.
“For the age, I would like him to stay,” Guardiola explained when asked about the midfielder’s prospects. “I understand, the players want more minutes—I completely understand that.”
Guardiola was quick to heap praise on McAtee, pointing not only to his technical qualities but also to his character and versatility. “I would like him to stay—he’s an Academy player, he knows the patterns, he’s a lovely person, a lovely guy. He trains really well, can play in different positions. I like him a lot, but it depends on how we finish the season. We’ll see.”
In a glowing comparison, Guardiola likened McAtee’s nose for goal to that of Phil Foden, last season’s Premier League and PFA Player of the Season.
“Macca has this quality,” the City boss said. “He could’ve scored four goals against Crystal Palace. He has the ability to create chances. He lives close to the box—quite similar to Phil. They both have a natural sense of where the goal is, which is very difficult to teach. The more minutes he gets, the more goals he will score.”
As the season draws to a close, McAtee’s future remains shrouded in uncertainty. A key decision looms regarding whether he will travel with the Manchester City squad to the United States this summer for the newly formatted FIFA Club World Cup. That decision is complicated by a scheduling conflict, as England’s Under-21 side will be competing in the European Championship during the same period. Discussions between Manchester City and the Football Association are expected to take place soon to resolve the matter.
Adding another layer of intrigue is the expected squad overhaul at Manchester City this summer. With midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne set to depart after the club opted against renewing his contract, and question marks also hanging over Bernardo Silva’s future, a generational transition is underway. Guardiola and his staff are believed to be planning for a fresh influx of talent and energy in midfield—potentially paving the way for players like McAtee to step into more prominent roles.
However, it remains to be seen whether McAtee is prepared to wait patiently for his opportunity to shine on a consistent basis under Guardiola. With several clubs ready to offer him a more central role, this summer could prove decisive for the midfielder’s career trajectory.
As Manchester City weigh up their options and McAtee reflects on his ambitions, one thing is clear: the young midfielder has the talent to thrive, whether at the Etihad or elsewhere.
