Manchester City starlet James McAtee is in line to receive his first England U-21 call up despite having never made a senior start for his boyhood club, according to a new report.
The Salford-born midfielder enjoyed a stellar campaign for City's U-23's and helped the young Blues claim the Premier League 2 title, bagging 17 goals and seven assists in 22 league outings last term.
After impressing Pep Guardiola and his managerial staff in training since his integration to the first-team, the 19-year-old was handed his Premier League debut in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Everton in November last year, as goals from Raheem Sterling, Rodri and Bernardo Silva sealed the three points against the Toffees.
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Despite initial fears over his future at the Etihad Stadium and widespread interest in the young Englishman, McAtee put pen to paper in February and signed a long-term deal that will keep him at City till at least 2026.
The teenager, who also featured in the Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup for the Premier League champions last term, could get more of a look-in within the senior squad next season should Ilkay Gundogan seek a move away from Manchester in the summer.
As reported by Jack Gaughan of The Daily Mail, James McAtee is in line to receive his first England U-21 call up despite having never made a start for Manchester City's senior squad.
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It is believed the teenager will link up with Lee Carsley's young Three Lions at Mottram Hall ahead of their European Championship qualifier tie with Albania on Tuesday, when he could make his England U-21 debut.
McAtee was named the Premier League 2 Player of the Season after leading City's U-23 side to league glory with a host of commanding, eye-catching displays from midfield that have made him one of England's brightest young talents.
Ahead of the new campaign, it remains to be seen what the immediate future holds for McAtee, as he could look to secure a short-term loan move away from the Etihad Stadium for regular game time in order to progress his development given the wealth of talent at Guardiola's disposal in midfield.
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However, it is worth stating that staying put and learning day-in, day-out under Pep Guardiola as well as the likes of Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Ilkay Gundogan by following into the footsteps of fellow academy graduate Phil Foden will certainly bode well for the youngster in his desire to break into the first-team.
Alongside the likes of Cole Palmer, CJ Egan-Riley and Samuel Edozie, McAtee could play a key role in City's relentless pursuit of success on all fronts next term after making six appearances for the first-team last season.
Topics: Manchester City, England
Vayam Lahoti