Manchester City may be regretting their decision to sell Cole Palmer to Chelsea last summer, as he pushed for a move due to limited playing time. The club could face a similar situation if James McAtee decides to seek opportunities elsewhere. Liverpool could potentially benefit if McAtee runs out of patience at City.
McAtee, who joined City’s academy in 2013, made his first-team debut in a 6-1 Carabao Cup win over Wycombe in September 2021. However, he has spent the past two seasons on loan at Sheffield United, where he helped them gain promotion from the Championship before they were relegated from the Premier League.
Currently, McAtee is part of City’s squad for their pre-season tour in the USA and played in a 4-3 loss to Celtic. However, he is unlikely to secure a regular starting spot at the Etihad Stadium. Instead of remaining on the bench, McAtee might seek a move to kick-start his career with another Premier League club.
Three years ago, Liverpool were reportedly among several clubs interested in McAtee. The Reds could make a move for him as new manager Arne Slot seeks to shape the team following Jurgen Klopp’s departure. McAtee, known for his technical skills, versatility, and maturity on the field, could be a valuable addition to Liverpool’s squad, potentially easing the burden on Mohamed Salah.
Interestingly, McAtee trained with Liverpool’s academy when he was seven. In an interview last year, he mentioned that Liverpool had released him due to some “stupid nonsense.”
Despite this, convincing City to let McAtee go might be challenging, especially after Palmer’s impressive performance at Chelsea, where he scored 22 goals and provided 11 assists last season. After the Celtic match, City manager Pep Guardiola expressed his admiration for McAtee, noting his potential and value to the team, particularly in playing in tight spaces.
