James McAtee has 11 goals and three assists for Manchester City’s academy this season but made his debut at left-back for the senior team vs Wycombe.
Manchester City top scorer James McAtee had no issues playing in an unfamiliar left-back role when Pep Guardiola handed him his senior debut on Tuesday night.
McAtee, 18, has 11 goals and three assists in just seven games for the academy this season across the Premier League 2, UEFA Youth League and EFL Trophy at an average of a goal contribution every 45 minutes. His form earned him the PL2 Player of the Month award, and this week he made his first professional appearance for City in the Carabao Cup win over Wycombe.
City were 4-1 up at the time of McAtee’s introduction, and the in-form attacking midfielder might have fancied his chances of getting a goal or assist on his debut against the League One opposition.
However, replacing academy teammate Josh Wilson-Esbrand, McAtee jogged on and took up the left-back role for his first taste of senior football.
Despite the new position on the biggest night of his career so far, McAtee says he has no issues with playing in defence and insisted he would have played anywhere if it meant making his debut.
“When he [Guardiola] shouted me over, I was like, ‘wow, it’s happening’,” he told City TV.
“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.
“The score was 4-1, the impact wasn’t needed, it was about keeping possession and keeping the ball.”
“I have to push on and keep doing what I’m doing in the 23s and trying to impress,” he said, before explaining how first team football at the Etihad differs from youth football at the Academy Stadium.
“The nerves kick in and you don’t want to embarrass yourself in front of fans,” he joked.
“But when you come on and they’re all cheering and chanting you’re comfortable. All my mates and family came and they’re all proud of me.”
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