PEP GUARDIOLA knows talent when he sees it.<\/p>\n
Before the Manchester City boss took over the Etihad, he secretly visited their youth academy and spied on a 13-year-old James McAtee.<\/p>\n
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Wowed by what he saw, he immediately turned to his coaches with a question.<\/p>\n
\"Who's that?\" the maestro manager enquired nodding towards the bright talent.<\/p>\n
Some six years later, Pep handed the midfielder his full debut.<\/p>\n
However, instead of wearing blue the teenaged, dubbed a David Silva clone by Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville, could have been playing in red for crosstown rivals Manchester United.<\/p>\n
Before he hit his teens. McAtee trained with the Red Devils aged 11.<\/p>\n
Alongside older brother John, now a pro at Grimsby Town, he had someone to look up to as he learned his craft.<\/p>\n
But, when John was released by the club the family made the decision to also pull James out of their academy.<\/p>\n
City immediately pounced, sensing the prospect's ability from an early age, as well as a sporting heritage that runs through his family.<\/p>\n
His dad, also John, played rugby league for St Helen's.<\/p>\n
While mum Gill's uncle was England World Cup winner Alan Ball.<\/p>\n
Since his cross-city move, James McAtee hasn't looked back as he's climbed through the youth ranks.<\/p>\n
This season, he's starred for the U23's this season - scoring 12 goals in 13 games.<\/p>\n
That prompted Guardiola to hand him his first senior debut against Wycombe in the EFL Cup back in September.<\/p>\n
Then in November, he made an impressive cameo against Everton for his first Premier League appearance.<\/p>\n
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Dubbed 'Salford Silva' by his team mates, McAtee boasts similar characteristics to the legend from Grand Canaria who played for the club for 10 years.<\/p>\n
Some of those skills, his close control, nimble feet, and constant probing of opposition defences were on display against the Toffees, which saw ex-Manchester United star Gary Neville wax lyrical about the boy wonder.<\/p>\n
\"Its not an academy, its a cloning system,\" Neville said after seeing McAtee and Cole Palmer impress.<\/p>\n
\"Theyre like clones, theyre all the same.<\/p>\n
\"Its almost likeDavid Silvas left them all behind!\"<\/p>\n
It's a reason why Guardiola was so quick to find out who he was back in 2016.<\/p>\n
And something he also did with Phil Foden, who has become the beacon for youngsters to emulate at the Etihad.<\/p>\n
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However, as his McAtee's ambition - he won't rest on making the odd FA Cup or League Cup appearance.<\/p>\n
Several clubs have reportedly declared their interest in taking the youngster on loan, including Premier League Southampton and promotion-chasing AFC Bournemouth.<\/p>\n
But, it is believed City are unsure about letting him go elsewhere. They share a theory that his development would be best served training with first team stars.<\/p>\n
Although, with his contract expiring in 2023, there is a fear that McAtee could leave the club for good.<\/p>\n
Astonishingly, Manchester United have been linked with taking him back.<\/p>\n
Could it be that McAtee ends up strutting his stuff at the Theatre of Dreams? Whatever the stage, he appears ready for a starring role. <\/p>\n
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Read more here: <\/p>\n
Man City star James McAtee, 19 related to England 1966 hero Alan Ball was spotted by Guardiola BEFORE h... - The Sun<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" PEP GUARDIOLA knows talent when he sees it. Before the Manchester City boss took over the Etihad, he secretly visited their youth academy and spied on a 13-year-old James McAtee. 8 Wowed by what he saw, he immediately turned to his coaches with a question. Continue reading