Manchester City may have to fend off an approach from Chelsea for James McAtee, according to the Daily Mail.
The Blues’ manager Enzo Maresca is known to be a big fan of the 21-year-old, having tried to sign him on loan when he was Leicester head coach last summer.
McAtte ended up joining Sheffield United instead but Maresca is clearly still keen on recruiting the midfielder.
The Mail report that Chelsea are one of “multiple clubs” monitoring the player’s progress, and they are waiting to see whether he becomes available.
Will McAtee stay at City?
It is believed that manager Pep Guardiola will make a decision on the England Under 21 international’s future during the club’s pre-season tour of the United States.
Many of the first team will be missing as they rest up after the European Championships and Copa America so McAtee should have plenty of opportunities to shine.
He has looked impressive on previous tours but he has ultimately been loaned out in order to get more first-team football. McAtee has only played 7 competitive games for his club at senior level. It remains to be seen, though, whether Chelsea‘s interest will turn his head.
The club won’t want a repeat of Palmer
Many supporters were aggrieved when the Premier League champions sold Cole Palmer to the Blues for £42.5m last year. Those questioning the deal were proven right.
The winger was outstanding during his first campaign at Stamford Bridge, scoring 25 goals and providing 15 assists in 45 appearances.
Not many believe that McAtee would have the same impact if he were to follow in Palmer’s footsteps. Although the midfielder is very talented, his performances for the Blades last season suggest that he still has some way to go in his development. Even so, selling him to Chelsea would send out the wrong message about the club’s youth system and their chances of making it at the Etihad.