Coming through Manchester City’s academy, one of European footballs most competitive youth setups, requires a resilient character.
James McAtee developed within that system and earned a reputation for his ball control and creative flair.
However, as with many Man City prospects, the challenge was never about ability but opportunity.
Breaking into Pep Guardiola’s senior side is a hurdle few manage, especially when contemporaries such as Liam Delap and, most notably, Cole Palmer have already carved out consistent roles elsewhere.
For McAtee, the time has come to step away from City’s shadows and build his own identity.
He decided to join Nottingham Forest, where he could go from a highly touted academy prospect to an established Premier League player.
Under Nuno Espírito Santo, a coach known for structured systems and disciplined organisation,
The question becomes how best to integrate a creative, technical midfielder into a team that often prioritises solidity and transitions.
This James McAtee scouting report and player analysis will explore James McAtee style of play, his background, and the tactical pathways that could make him a valuable addition to Forest’s starting XI.
Who Is James McAtee?
James McAtee comes from a family with a strong sporting background.
His older brother, John McAtee, currently plays for Bolton Wanderers in EFL League One.
Footballing pedigree runs even deeper in his bloodline: his great-uncle was Alan Ball Jr., remembered for spells at Everton and Arsenal but above all for lifting the FIFA World Cup with England in 1966.
It is little surprise that McAtee’s talent has long been seen as a natural inheritance.
He joined Manchester City’s academy at the age of 11.
He steadily progressed through the ranks, becoming a youth-level regular for England and most proudly captaining the U21s to victory at the 2025 UEFA European Championship.
In February 2022, he committed his future to City with a contract until 2026, describing it as a proud milestone and a sign of the club’s faith in him.
That faith was rewarded early when he made his first-team debut in the Carabao Cup against Wycombe Wanderers.
Seeking consistent senior minutes, McAtee went on a two-year loan at Sheffield United, where he gained valuable experience in contrasting circumstances: battling relegation in the Premier League and promotion push at the top end of the EFL Championship.
However, breaking into Guardiola’s City squad remained elusive.
Across the 2023/2024 and 2024/2025 seasons, McAtee was limited to occasional cameos despite earning praise from Pep for his attitude, training standards, and versatility.
Opportunities to become a starter were limited, and the need for a permanent move became clear.
Interest came from across Europe, including Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund, but Nottingham Forest secured his signature.
For McAtee, Forest represents both a platform and a challenge.
A chance to establish himself as a Premier League regular and to form key on-field relationships with the likes of Chris Wood, Dan Ndoye, and the diverse attacking profiles within Nuno Espírito Santo’s squad.
James McAtee Style Of Play
James McAtee is a midfielder defined by elegance and balance.
At first glance, his game exudes a certain elegance: close control, deceptive footwork, and a natural ability to glide past markers.
However, beneath the technical polish lies a player with the robustness and work rate to contribute both defensively and creatively.
This pizza chart displays James McAtee’s performance profile from the 2024/2025 season, although the sample size is limited due to the 412 minutes played.
His standout metrics are positioning (95.7), dangerous passes (87.5), accurate passing (87.5), and penalty area touches (86.4).
However, his defensive involvement is minimal (4.2 percentile for defensive duels), which reinforces that he is more effective when given freedom than when tasked with ball-winning responsibilities.
It’s also important to note that the 50th percentile here represents the league median for players in his position.
James McAtee Pizza Chart
The statistical profile highlights McAtee’s possibilities as both a creator and a direct attacking presence.
He averages 3.53 shots per 90 (94th percentile), an unusually high volume for a midfielder.
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