Man City replacement for Kevin De Bruyne has just sent a clear message to Pep Guardiola

James McAtee in action for England Under 21s
-Credit: (Image: Getty Images)


Kevin De Bruyne faces an uncertain future at Manchester City. The 32-year-old, who was linked with a lucrative move to Saudi Arabia during the transfer window, has less than one year on his contract.

After the 3-1 win over West Ham last Saturday, De Bruyne addressed his future and claimed he has not been "entertained" by rumours suggesting he might leave City. The Belgium international also revealed that he is "sure" that there will be talks over a possible new deal in the coming weeks.

Although it does seem that De Bruyne is intent on sticking put at City, Pep Guardiola must think about planning for life without the superstar. City could look at signing a new No.10 with a view to replacing De Bruyne in long-term or they might be able to look within, with James McAtee having the potential to play his role.

Having spent the previous two years on loan at Sheffield United, McAtee had been at the centre of widespread transfer admiration over the course of the summer, but Guardiola wanted to keep him at the club. After impressing on their pre-season tour of the United States, the City boss revealed a clear desire to have McAtee around the first-team squad and hand him opportunities to impress this season.

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His faith was restored in the Community Shield with McAtee playing 80 minutes and being one of the bright sparks during their penalty shootout win over Manchester United. The 21-year-old has since made just one Premier League appearance so far, coming off the bench in the victory against Ipswich last month.

However, McAtee has had the chance to get more minutes under his belt while playing for England Under 21s across the international break. He started the 0-0 draw against Northern Ireland on Friday before being named in the XI for the friendly at home to Austria at Luton's Kenilworth Road on Monday evening.

It's safe to say McAtee was excellent for the young Lions. He played in the No.10 role - like De Bruyne usually does - just behind the striker and showed exactly what he is capable of.

Pressing from the front, McAtee earned England a penalty in the first half. Tyler Morton won the ball back before McAtee drove into the penalty area and was brought down. That gave Aston Villa's Morgan Rogers the chance to make it 1-0 and he kept his composure to strike the opening goal.

Austria equalised before half-time but that didn't halt England one bit. The new-look young Lions - without boss Lee Carsley after he was promoted to senior interim manager - looked slick in possession and McAtee was at the heart of everything positive they did. He provided that link between midfield and attack.

McAtee was involved as England regained the lead in the 49th minute. The City midfielder had the vision to nudge Samuel Iling Jr's pass into the path of Rogers, who did the rest and buried the ball into the bottom corner.

After already setting two goals up, McAtee finally got his name on the scoresheet just before the hour mark. A fine drilled cross from Newcastle's Lewis Hall found McAtee in space inside the area and he superbly volleyed the ball first time into the corner, giving the goalkeeper no chance.

Following a fine individual performance, McAtee was substituted in the 72nd minute and replaced by Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest. During his time on the pitch, McAtee had 53 touches, made 31 accurate passes, four key passes, was fouled three times and had two shots on target.

Yes, the level of opposition is not as good as what City can expect in the Premier League, the Champions League and even the Carabao Cup and FA Cup, but McAtee showed that he can play in that attacking midfield position well. Guardiola should offer him more chances and he could be an adequate long-term De Bruyne replacement, considering his age and high potential.