JAMES MCATEE says Pep Guardiola told him to “go have fun” after snubbing the Club World Cup for the Under-21 European Championship.
The Manchester City midfielder, 22, will lead out England in their Euro opener against Czechia tomorrow after opting for country over club.
McAtee says the decision on whether to jet to America with City or head to Slovakia for international duty was entirely down to him.
And the star, who has been named captain by Young Lions head coach Lee Carsley, has revealed how his club boss Guardiola reacted to the news.
McAtee said: “I don’t know if he knew I was going to be captain at all, but yeah, he was just saying ‘go and enjoy yourself and go and have fun and try and win the tournament’.
“We just had a discussion and it was as easy as that. A quick discussion and then I was on my way here.
“I didn’t know if it was going to happen, but I’m happy to be here, happy to be with the lads and looking forward to the tournament.”
McAtee, who has been linked with moves to Man Utd, Lyon, Everton and Leeds, continued: “It was a chance for me to go and play.
“I’ve been happy with my minutes that I’ve got this year, but I think here I can play more of a part than I would have at the Club World Cup.
“It’s more of an experience and this is my first international tournament, so it’ll be good to get out there.”
McAtee, who says his favoured position is No10, failed to keep the news quiet that he would be wearing the armband at the Euros
He said: “Lee pulled me to the side, I think it was last week during training, and told me.
England’s Under-21 Euros squad in FULL
ENGLAND are looking to retain their status as Under-21 European champions this summer in Slovakia.
Here is Lee Carsley’s full squad for the blockbuster tournament:
Goalkeepers: James Beadle (Brighton and Hove Albion), Teddy Sharman-Lowe (Chelsea), Tommy Simkin (Stoke City)
Defenders: Charlie Cresswell (FC Toulouse), Ronnie Edwards (Southampton), CJ Egan-Riley (Burnley), Tino Livramento (Newcastle United), Brooke Norton Cuffy (Genoa), Jarell Quansah (Liverpool)
Midfielders: Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), Archie Gray (Tottenham Hotspur), Hayden Hackney (Middlesbrough), Jack Hinshelwood (Brighton and Hove Albion), Tyler Morton (Liverpool), Alex Scott (AFC Bournemouth)
Forwards: Harvey Elliott (Liverpool), Omari Hutchinson (Ipswich Town), Sam Iling Jnr (Aston Villa), James McAtee (Manchester City), Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal), Jonathan Rowe (Marseille), Jay Stansfield (Birmingham City)
“I was obviously over the moon, he told me to keep it quiet for a bit, but I told my mum and dad straight away. It’s a great honour and I can’t thank Lee enough for it.
“I’d definitely remember it forever if we go and win it.
“There’s obviously special players here, look at our team. We’ve got a great squad. We’re all looking forward to it and we believe we can win it.”
Carsley’s England, with Cole Palmer in the squad, were crowned European champions two years ago.
And McAtee admits his best pal’s rise to stardom since with Chelsea and England is motivating him to use this tournament as a springboard.
He added: “Cole’s obviously been my team-mate since I’ve been 11 [at City], so I wouldn’t say inspiration, but obviously what he’s done with Chelsea is amazing.
“This might have kick-started him. Hopefully it’ll be the same for me as well.”
England kick-off their Euro campaign against Czechia and then three days later will face Slovenia before their final group-stage match against Germany on Wednesday 18 June.
All of the Young Lions’ matches will be broadcast on Channel 4.
YOUNG LIONS PROMOTED
PLENTY of the 2023 Euro Under-21 final team have won senior England caps
JAMES TRAFFORD – 0 caps, in provisional Euro 2024 squad
JAMES GARNER – 0 caps
TAYLOR HARWOOD-BELLIS – 1 cap, 1 goal
LEVI COLWILL – 4 caps, 0 goals
MAX AARONS – 0 caps, 0 goals
CURTIS JONES – 5 caps, 1 goal
ANGEL GOMES – 4 caps, 0 goals
COLE PALMER – 11 caps, 2 goals
MORGAN GIBBS-WHITE – 3 caps, 0 goals
EMILE SMITH ROWE – 3 caps, 1 goal
ANTHONY GORDON – 10 caps, 1 goal
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