Twelve months ago, James McAtee lifted the Euro 2025 trophy as England Under-21 captain after a dramatic extra-time win against Germany. Alongside him in Bratislava was Nottingham Forest teammate Elliot Anderson, named with McAtee in the team of the tournament. Since then, the two midfielders have taken sharply different paths.
Anderson has become a key man for Thomas Tuchel’s England, helping the Three Lions to an opening World Cup win against Croatia on Wednesday. In Boston on Tuesday, he shone on a grim day as England drew with Ghana — a performance that underlined why Manchester City are so determined to sign him. City have had two bids rejected for Anderson, the last worth £120m, which would have made him the most expensive English player in history.
“James McAtee waits for his chance as Elliot Anderson shines for England, with Man City's £120m bid rejected.”
For McAtee, the picture is different. He arrived at the City Ground on a five-year deal worth about £30m weeks after that U21 triumph, part of Forest’s £180m spending spree. But he made just two Premier League starts last season, playing only 287 minutes in the club’s successful battle against relegation, and managed one assist and no league goal. Morgan Gibbs-White locked down the number 10 position, scoring 18 goals and narrowly missing England’s World Cup squad.
McAtee played under four managers — Nuno Espírito Santo (50 minutes), Ange Postecoglou (161 minutes), Sean Dyche (441 minutes) and Vitor Pereira (378 minutes in all competitions). Yet belief at the City Ground is that it is only a matter of time before it clicks. One source said McAtee will “explode”, such is his natural talent.
He remains part of Pereira’s plans for next season. The frustration has lit a fire: he has trained every day since a week off at the end of the season, following a specific programme set by Forest and his personal coach, adding more strength and conditioning work. He is targeting an England call for Euro 2028.
If Anderson departs for City, the path may finally clear. For McAtee, the waiting could soon be over.