James McAtee has an opportunity to do something Man City players don't usually do

This summer is highlighting a familiar conundrum for Manchester City academy players.

When they have progressed through the academy system and have outgrown the Elite Development Squad, there is almost a brick wall between the under-21s and the City first team. Only a few have jumped over that wall, and they show how good a player has to be to cement themselves in Pep Guardiola's plans - namely Phil Foden and Rico Lewis.

Others have found the step up harder, like Cole Palmer, deciding that a loan exit is a better option for getting valuable first-team experience. Or some decide that a permanent exit is a more sensible move, with Shea Charles the latest u21 regular to leave for big money.

Of those who have left on loan, it's extremely rare for a player to return stronger and force their way into Guardiola's plans. Most get a taste for senior football and leave again, or show they aren't yet at the standard required to be a full-time City senior player.

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Only Aleks Zinchenko is a success story when it comes to leaving on loan, playing well enough to catch the eye, and then returning to play a key role for City. Angelino left permanently before being re-signed, but his second spell at City was less successful than, say, Zinchenko's return.

So the odds are against James McAtee this season, despite his fine year on loan at Sheffield United last term. City didn't initially want McAtee to leave the City Football Academy 12 months ago, but the player insisted and justified his bold call after a shaky start to lead the Blades to the Premier League.

MEN Sport reported this week that City have rejected approaches for McAtee of up to £30m, giving him the chance