Confidence within Manchester City about midfielder joining first-team squad in future

Manchester City hold confidence in regards to the future of James McAtee, according to a new report.

The England youth international has been regarded highly amongst both staff members at Manchester City and fans of the club for well over a year.

In the Premier League 2 division last season, James McAtee recorded a remarkable campaign on a personal note.

Across 23 appearances for Manchester City's EDS squad, the now 20-year-old attacking midfielder scored 18 goals, accompanied by seven assists.

Across all competitions for the club's academy system, and for Pep Guardiola's senior squad, McAtee registered 34 appearances in total.

In those appearances in Sky Blue, the exciting playmaker scored a total of 23 goals, accompanied by a further eight assists.

The 2022/23 season had been deemed by many to be an important campaign for James McAtee's development, with a big decision made on where he would play his football.

Ultimately, the decision was made to send him out on loan, with a whole host of Championship and Premier League clubs vying for his signature.

From the perspective of Etihad officials, it was imperative that the club to win the race for James McAtee not only played a similar style to the Premier League champions, but would also entrust the youngster enough to grant him sufficient first-team minutes.

That team was Sheffield United, who have been charged with handling the next phase of McAtee's development this season.

However, while some believe a loan move may not have been a step forward, a new report has detailed a positive outlook on the player's future from the side of Etihad Stadium staff.

According to the information of the Manchester Evening News' Simon Bajkowski, there is 'confidence' within Manchester City that James McAtee can 'break the mould' and return from loan to become part of the first team set-up in future.

James McAtee's Manchester City debut (Action Plus Sports Images / Alamy)

McAtee will be hoping to play an integral part in a Sheffield United side seeking a return to the Premier League next season.

However, his start to life with the Blades has been less than straightforward.

Making just six Championship appearances so far, but only registering 142 minutes of game time, McAtee will need to make a bigger impact in the coming months.

Elsewhere on the loan front at Manchester City, Taylor Harwood-Bellis is making an impression at Vincent Kompany's Burnley, but recently admitted disappointment at the club signing Manuel Akanji towards the end of the summer transfer window.

Burnley's Taylor Harwood-Bellis (on-loan from Manchester City).

He said in a recent interview, "Obviously it's difficult seeing them (Manchester City) sign another centre half, but if you see the quality of the centre half they have signed it is a difficult one. He (Manuel Akanji) is unreal along with the other ones."