Pep Guardiola's views on James McAtee and Liam Delap revealed as Manchester City pair head out on loan

Several youngsters at Manchester City have headed out on season-long loans, with names including Tommy Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis, Yan Couto and James Trafford instantly springing to mind.

However, there remains a sense that a loan spell is as much of a chance to develop for this group of prospects, as it is a make-or-break opportunity to make the cut at Manchester City.

It is no secret that there is a fierce competition for places at the Etihad Stadium, coupled with the club’s tendency to strengthen their squad summer after summer to fight for major honours.

Keeping that in mind, it would take the aforementioned group to make a serious enough impression at their respective destinations to convince the Etihad hierarchy to take a chance on them one day.

In contrast, the buy-back clauses in place for Gavin Bazunu, Issa Kabore and Romeo Lavia implies that the club envision the trio potentially returning to the Sky Blues in the near future.

A similar rationale could apply in the cases of James McAtee and Liam Delap, who have joined Sheffield United and Stoke City on loan respectively.

Pep Guardiola first enquired about the former as a 13-year-old, after witnessing him in training during a clandestine visit in 2016.

The latter has been complemented as a ‘typical British striker’ by the Catalan boss, who appreciates his physically imposing style of play.

As many would assume that the Spaniard is a huge admirer of the pair, such assumptions may ring true, as per a fresh revelation.

According to a report by The National, both James McAtee and Liam Delap are believed to be held in high regard by Pep Guardiola and his inner circle at Manchester City.

Further details state that despite the youthful duo being sent out on loan this summer, the decision is related to the 51-year-old’s preference towards having a small squad rather than their inability to operate for the first-team one day.

Ultimately, this revelation does not come as a major surprise.

In the case of McAtee, it was widely reported that he could well have been involved in the senior team this term, with a plan to integrate the silky midfielder in more wider positions in place.

As for Delap, it was telling how the club refused to send him on loan in January, as they believed he could contribute to the side in some capacity last season.

With the gifted pair tied to new long-term contracts in February, it is likely that Pep Guardiola believed both have the potential to become established first-team members of the Manchester City squad one day.