Pep Guardiola has confirmed that England want two Manchester City players for the UEFA under-21 European Championships this summer which take place at the same time as the FIFA Club World Cup.
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LORIENT, FRANCE - MARCH 21: James McAtee of England shakes hands with Rico Lewis of England during the Men's U21 international match between France and England at Stade du Moustoir on March 21, 2025 in Lorient, France. (Photo by Franco Arland - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
LORIENT, FRANCE - MARCH 21: James McAtee of England shakes hands with Rico Lewis of England during the Men's U21 international match between France and England at Stade du Moustoir on March 21, 2025 in Lorient, France. (Photo by Franco Arland - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)
England want James McAtee and Rico Lewis to represent them this summer.
Manchester City could be on course for a disagreement with England over a clash of tournaments this summer.
City head to the FIFA Club World Cup in June and July, and will look to take a large squad given their injury issues this term and tiredness in the camp after a long season.
However at the same time, England under-21s take part in the U21 European Championships and the Young Lions have requested that Rico Lewis and James McAtee take part for Lee Carsley's side.
McAtee previously cast doubt over his Club World Cup participation, suggesting he would have to choose the best tournament to play in and even asking whether he could find a way to play in both.
Lewis has been involved in the England senior team when Carsley was interim manager, but was not included in the June squad under Thomas Tuchel and is wanted by England for the under-21s.
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If he does go to Slovakia, which finishes midway through the Club World Cup schedule, then that would leave City light on right-backs after Pep Guardiola bluntly confirmed that Kyle Walker will not travel with the Blues to the USA.
Matheus Nunes and Manu Akanji have moved ahead of Lewis recently, however the academy graduate has impressed when he has played such as the FA Cup semi-final win over Nottingham Forest.
Lewis and McAtee have been left out of the last two matchday squads as Guardiola battles with a large squad and not enough places on the bench. And now he has indicated that a decision will have to be made over whether they travel to the USA for the Club World Cup or represent England instead - asking 'who pays their salary?'
"[A decision] normally happens when they go to the World Cup or European Cup when we are already on holidays so that is why they go and now the situation is here [different] and they have to talk.
"I joke and I am so funny a guy so I don’t know who is going to pay the salary in these months, national teams or the club so if they decide is going to the Under 21s, I don’t know who is going to pay it.
"It is going to decide, I would say, the players with the club. They will talk with the sporting director and they have to decide what they want to do.
"I know the manager of U21 ask the club for both players to go to the Under 21s but I don’t know the resolution right now."
Nico O'Reilly could be another possible option for England after a fine break-out season but the 20-year-old hasn't been capped above under-20 level.
Guardiola's latest jibe at the FA comes after criticism of their use of players like John Stones and Kyle Walker in friendly matches, as well as youngster Max Alleyne who picked up an injury with England to prevent him training with the City first team this season.
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