Nottingham Forest attacking midfielder James McAtee has been through a difficult time since his arrival, but he could be handed a lifeline after Vitor Pereira was appointed earlier this month.
McAtee made the move to The City Ground during the summer transfer window, joining the club for a fee of £30m from Manchester City. The youngster was potentially hoping to replicate the pathway of Cole Palmer, who made the bold decision to leave Man City in search of regular minutes, but McAtee hasn't managed to go down the same road.
The 23-year-old has played just 175 minutes in the Premier League this season, making just one start, despite Forest struggling near the bottom of the Premier League table. The England youth international is now preparing to work under a fourth manager this campaign, desperately hoping his fortunes change.
Formation Change Would Suit McAtee
James McAtee during a pre-match warm-up with Nottingham Forest
Pereira was announced as Forest's new manager last week after Sean Dyche was sacked, and with a new coach comes new ideas. Pereira's most common formation throughout his career has been a 3-4-2-1, which could have McAtee licking his lips.
The former Man City man is predominantly a number 10, and in Dyche's system, he was competing with Morgan Gibbs-White for a spot in the XI.
With a potential formation change to a 3-4-2-1, Pereira could deploy two number 10's, which could give the barely-seen McAtee a huge lifeline.
Understandably, previous managers have prioritised playing Gibbs-White over McAtee, but it certainly wouldn't be a surprise to see both of them deployed in the same team over the coming weeks.
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McAtee Deserves Another Opportunity
Nottingham Forest new signings Omari Hutchinson and James McAtee pose with their shirts
McAtee is no longer a youth player trying to make the grade at Manchester City. The England youth international is now 23 years old and made a £30m move to a Premier League club, but he's being treated like a youth player needing to prove himself.
There's no doubt, McAtee needs to show more when he is given an opportunity, but it's difficult to pick up momentum when you're given a few minutes off the bench every couple of weeks.
It's now a possible fresh start for McAtee, and it will be interesting to see whether Pereira makes wholesale changes for their Europa League clash with Fenerbahce on Thursday night.