James McAtee and Rico Lewis could be wanted by both club and country this summer
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James McAtee of England shakes hands with Rico Lewis of during the U21 international match between France and England
James McAtee and Rico Lewis could both be involved for England this summer rather than with Manchester City at the Club World Cup
Manchester City could be without James McAtee and Rico Lewis for the Club World Cup with the pair potentially representing England at the Under-21 European Championships.
City have qualified for the expanded Club World Cup courtesy of winning the Champions League in 2023 but the competition clashes with this summer's U21 tournament and leaves McAtee and Lewis facing a choice.
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McAtee has struggled for game time and match minutes this season, and was the subject of transfer interest in the winter window. His contract at the Etihad runs out next summer and at 22, he will be keen for regular football.
That could still come at City with Pep Guardiola repeatedly praising the midfielder despite offering him precious few first team chances this season.
The Club World Cup could provide McAtee with a springboard to selection, particularly with City struggling this term and something of a squad rebuild taking shape at the Etihad.
But McAtee is also keen to represent his country in Slovakia, where England will be hoping to compete for the title.
And while the player, who impressed in England Under-21s defeat to France on Friday night where he was among the scorers in a 5-3 defeat, has yet to make a decision, his potential absence for City would cause Guardiola a headache for a tournament that could involve seven games and from which he may look to rest established stars given the injury issues the Blues have faced this term and the tight turnaround for next season.
Lewis is also back in the England Under-21 squad having been capped five times at senior level. He may well have ambitions on breaking into Thomas Tuchel's squad for the summer fixtures with Andorra and Senegal but if he misses out on a call from the German, a place in Carsley's summer squad seems certain given what Lewis can offer - provided the 20-year-old wants to overlook the Club World Cup for international duty.
McAtee has given his thoughts on the situation, saying he's not made his mind up but is expecting to have a say in what happens.
"Maybe, maybe not? I’ve not made my mind up yet,’ said McAtee on whether he would sit out the international tournament.
"It’s a great opportunity for both so it’s something I need to chat to City and Lee [Carsley] about. I’d love to go to both.
"I think I’ll get a say in it. But as I say, I haven’t made my mind up. I think my opinion will matter and the boss back home (Guardiola) will listen to me.’
Young Lions boss Carsley would certainly welcome McAtee in his international side with the City man a key player at Under-21 level.
"I think it's something that we need to talk about,’ he said of his star man missing the Euros. "I think if players can be involved in such a competition like the Club World Cup then obviously they go with our blessing. But he's a player that's very important for us.
"It's down to the club and we'll go off whatever they want and we'll support James with that."