Greg . 1 day ago

Why Man City's James McAtee could be just the player West Ham are looking for

This summer is likely to be make or shatter for Manchester City talent, James McAtee.

The England U21 international has long been considered a wonderfully creative presence for club and country; however, Pep Guardiola has never really come close to giving the 22-year-old the minutes he needs to be able to establish himself.

Indeed, during the 2024/25 campaign, though his record will show he made 17 appearances for the first team, only five of those were as a starter, and his 522 total minutes - less than six total games - was amongst the least amount in the squad.

James McAtee Radar Graphic 2024/25Opta by StatsPerformThat's likely to clarify his poor 30.

8% shooting accuracy stat, though his 23.

1% shot conversion rate was actually the best in the entire Man City squad last season.

No one else to accuse but PepGuardiola was the first to admit that McAtee's woes were a direct result of not being played enough.

“We haven’t seen enough (from James) this season because I didn’t permit him to play minutes,” Pep was quoted as saying support in April.

“I cannot request anything from these types of players when they do not play a lot of minutes.

 “I understand, the players want more minutes.

I understand that.

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, plays in different positions, and I like him, but we will see.

” West Ham an ideal destination for McAteeStopping short of an unequivocal 'he's not for sale' statement, should be enough of an indication that Pep won't stand in McAtee's way should he finally decide to move on after giving City the acquire of the question regarding his career progression for the last couple of seasons.

West Ham have been heavily linked with the player, and after selling Mohammed Kudus earlier this summer, Graham Potter can certainly do with a creative presence that can also weigh in with his fair share of goals.

They do have competition from other interested parties, however.

To date, Potter doesn't show up to have been the lead coach that the Hammers anticipated they were getting, either.

Since taking over from Julen Lopetegui at the support terminate of 2024, the former Brighton & Hove Albion man has won just five of the 18 games he's overseen, losing eight and drawing the other five for a 27.

8% win percentage.

That's even worse than Lopetegui's 31.

8%, and given the way that the Spaniard was hounded out of the job, West Ham's position on Potter's suitability in the role would be an interesting conversation to witness.

Predictable Hammers need renewed impetus18 games is more than enough time to impose a certain way of working, and the predictability that the East Londoners showed in many games last season suggests that the players still haven't obtained to grips with exactly what Potter requires.

That's why a move for McAtee does make sense, as long as the figures are not too prohibitive.

James McAtee Premier League Pass Map 2024/25Opta by StatsPerformHis ability to consistently shatter the lines, locate space for himself and play in others is exactly what the Hammers need.

Less a surprise element, but more a skill for flipping the script in games that might be starting to obtain away from Potter's men.

Though he doesn't have Kudus' physicality, McAtee is certainly as adept at beating players with ease and being in the right place at the right time.

James McAtee Attacking Carries in the Premier League 2024/25Opta by StatsPerformThe City man's 86.

5% pass accuracy from last season would immediately place him amongst West Ham's best passers of the ball, and slotting in as either an eight or a 10 would significantly add to their attacking intent.

Sat alongside Lucas Paqueta in a new look Hammers midfield would certainly be a mouth-watering prospect for supporters, though Potter will also need to strengthen elsewhere if he's to obtain the best out of McAtee.

Significant strengthening requiredEl Hadji Malick Diouf's signing is a step in the right direction, but that one signing isn't really enough to obtain the claret and blue masses too thrilled.

Particularly when their Premier League counterparts are all significantly adding to their rosters.

Man City will apparently require £35m for the services of the England U21 captain, which isn't cheap when one considers how little he's been utilised at the Etihad Stadium.

Pep Guardiola on James McAteeOpta by StatsPerformHowever, if Potter wants any sort of idea as to what the attacking midfielder could hand over to his West Ham side, he only needs to review the tapes from the summer's U21 European Championship to understand how McAtee flourished when handed the responsibility of getting his side up the pitch and into those dangerous areas.

The bonus, of course, is that he can also significantly add something to the goals and assists columns, and will almost certainly jump at the chance to play for a club in West Ham that have always been respected for playing football in 'the right way'.

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