Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Leicester City marked a much-needed return to form for Pep Guardiola’s side, who had been struggling with just one win in their last 13 matches. Despite not being at their best, City punished Leicester’s wastefulness, with goals from Savinho and Erling Haaland sealing the victory. However, the match also saw Guardiola admit he had “unfairly” treated one of his players this season.
James McAtee, a 22-year-old academy product, came off the bench for only his third Premier League appearance of the season and made a positive impact. He had been linked with a summer transfer but stayed at the club after Guardiola insisted he should remain. Despite limited playing time, the manager confessed that McAtee deserved more minutes on the pitch.
GUARDIOLA’S APOLOGY AND PRAISE:
Guardiola was open about his regret in not giving McAtee more opportunities. He acknowledged the situation was “unfair” and highlighted that young players, like McAtee, often don’t feel the pressure that senior players do. However, they bring a hunger to prove themselves, something Guardiola appreciated.
“There are things that sometimes feel unfair,” Guardiola admitted. “I had the feeling that if I had to make a substitution, James would be the first one to come on. He can play in many positions and today, every action he took was good. He didn’t make one wrong move.”
Guardiola also praised McAtee for his development, particularly after a tough loan spell at Sheffield United, which helped him mature as a player. The manager added, “I always had the feeling he could play with us, and today he proved it.”
PRAISING A GENERATION OF TALENT:
Guardiola also reflected on the impressive generation of young players coming through City’s academy, including McAtee, Romeo Lavia, Cole Palmer, Morgan Rogers, Liam Delap, and Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
These players have shown immense potential, and McAtee’s leadership in that group—having captained them—was something Guardiola valued highly.
“I’ve always said to Txiki [Begiristain] that it’s unfair to say this now, but I didn’t give James the minutes he deserved. He’s an incredible guy, trains really well, and he earned his chance. All players can show what they can do on the pitch, and Macca proved it today.”
GUARDIOLA’S 500TH GAME:
Sunday’s victory against Leicester also marked Guardiola’s 500th game in charge of Manchester City. Reflecting on his tenure, he expressed how much the recent struggles had made him appreciate the team’s journey. However, he acknowledged that the road ahead was still challenging.
“Maybe after this period, we’ll realise how nice it was. Hopefully, we’ll return to our best form, even if we’re not exactly what we were,” Guardiola said. “I thought about making changes, but I didn’t. The alternative wasn’t as good. The starting XI today was solid, and I felt we needed to give the players calm and focus.”
Guardiola stressed that the mental state of the players is just as important as tactical adjustments, revealing that influencing their mindset is one of the toughest parts of his job. Despite the setbacks, Guardiola’s unwavering belief in his squad remains a constant source of support for Manchester City.
KEEP IN MIND:
McAtee’s Development: Guardiola admits that James McAtee should have been given more minutes, but he’s pleased with his development. His performance against Leicester showed he’s ready for more.
Mental Toughness: Guardiola is focused on rebuilding the mental strength of his players, as he believes this is key to turning their form around.
500 Games Milestone: Guardiola’s 500th match was a milestone for him, but the challenge remains to get City back to their best.
