'Don't think so': Pep Guardiola explains why West Ham and Crystal Palace will not sign £20m ace in January
Yesterday at 05:15 PM
For the 15th time in 17 Premier League matches, a player reportedly on the radars of West Ham United and Crystal Palace found himself glued to the bench.
Neutral observers could be forgiven for wondering what Manchester City’s youngsters have to do to force their way into Pep Guardiola’s remarkably out-of-form team at the moment.
But, as Aston Villa consigned Man City to a ninth defeat in their last 12 across all competitions, Jahmai Simpson-Pusey, Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee were once again restricted to a watching brief as Manuel Akanji, Ilkay Gundogan and Bernardo Silva underwhelmed once again.
McAtee – the England Under 21 international is reportedly valued at £20 million – was expected to have a bigger role this term.
He returned to the Etihad having impressed in a poor Sheffield United side during a loan spell at Bramall Lane in 2023/24. But despite starting, and starring, during August’s Community Shield victory over Manchester United, McAtee has been restricted to a pair of Premier League cameos totalling just two minutes on the pitch.
Pep Guardiola rules out January exit for Manchester City’s James McAtee
According to Give Me Sport, West Ham, Crystal Palace and even German champions Bayer Leverkusen are watching the situation regarding the Salford-born 22-year-old closely.
But, speaking in his Friday press conference, Guardiola insists that McAtee will be going nowhere.
"Leave? No I don't think so,” the former Barcelona boss said when asked directly about the England Under-21 international’s immediate future.
Guardiola also provided an explanation as to why the likes of O’Reilly and McAtee have not yet been given a chance to prove they deserve a place in the starting XI over Man City’s more experienced, and seemingly rapidly-declining, players.
“That is a good question. But, in that period that we have, I’m going to make a responsibility for the senior players,” Guardiola added, opting against introducing Simpson-Pusey before Amad Diallo’s late winner decided last week’s Manchester derby.
“The last game, against United, I thought to [introduce] Jahmai, who could have played really good. But that pressure, in that situation for the young players playing in that position…
“Maybe it is unfair. Maybe I’m wrong. It has happened in the past. But I had the feeling that, in the bad moments, the players who have to show and prove who we are as a team and what they have done in the past, I have to give them the keys to try to lead us to try and turn around the situation.
“We have to do it, all of us, but of course there are players that have more experience in that position. I’m not saying it’s not going to happen, but so far I’ve decided that way.
“Always they are ready. The young players always have the ability, they don’t defend anything in terms of the past, they are free and they can do it, absolutely.”
Crystal Palace and West Ham want attacking additions
McAtee scored three goals in 31 Premier League appearances for Sheffield United.
His stunning, curling finish against Brentford, meanwhile, secured The Blades one of only three top-flight wins en route to an immediate return to the Championship under Chris Wilder.
TBR understands that Crystal Palace are looking at Lyon forwards Rayan Cherki and Ernest Nuamah as Oliver Glasner looks to add more depth to his frontline. Palace are reportedly talking to Millwall’s Romain Esse too.
West Ham, meanwhile, appear to be prioritising a centre-forward.
TBR have been told that West Ham are stepping up their pursuit of Botafogo’s Igor Jesus.
