Update: Man City set for James McAtee talks as big summer decision awaits News

Manchester City youngster James McAtee has said he would like to play in both tournaments on offer to him this summer

Manchester City are set for talks with the Football Association over plans for James McAtee this summer. The 22-year-old is eligible to play in the Under-21 European Championship but that clashes with City’s involvement in the Club World Cup.

England are defending champions following their 2023 triumph against Spain in the final, and McAtee has become an important part of Lee Carsley’s plans in recent years. He played in the March internationals and would be expected to be included in the squad for the competition, that runs from June 11 to June 28.

That would normally be no issue for City, but Pep Guardiola will be taking his squad to the United States almost as soon as the season ends for the first edition of the revamped Club World Cup. City’s three group games will be played between June 18 and June 26, with the final in New Jersey on July 14.

Speaking in January, Guardiola suggested that part of the reason the club did not want McAtee to leave on loan for the second half of the season was because he would be needed for the Club World Cup. “We don’t have enough players. We have a World Cup at the end of the season. We have a lot of games,” he said.

However, speaking on England Under-21 duty McAtee has since expressed a wish to represent his country. “I’ve not made my mind up yet,” he said.

“It’s a great opportunity for both so it’s something I need to chat to City and Lee [Carsley] about. I’d love to go to both.

“I think I’ll get a say in it. But as I say, I haven’t made my mind up. I think my opinion will matter and the boss back home will listen to me.”

Carsley, who spent a year in charge of City’s Under-18s during Guardiola’s time at the club, is well aware that it is a topic that needs discussing sooner rather than later. “I think it’s something that we need to talk about,” he said.

“I think if players can be involved in such a competition like the Club World Cup then obviously they go with our blessing. But he’s a player that’s very important for us.

“It’s down to the club and we’ll go off whatever they want and we’ll support James with that.”

McAtee made his first Premier League start for the club on Saturday and marked it with his seventh goal of the season. Latching onto a long ball from Ederson, he rounded goalkeeper Dean Henderson before slotting home City’s fourth to pick up an important result for their hopes of securing a top-five finish in the league.

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