James McAtee Back on England Radar After Nottingham Forest Revival
James McAtee’s revival at Nottingham Forest has placed him back on the England radar after a difficult first season at the City Ground. The 23-year-old has responded to Oliver Glasner’s arrival and Elliot Anderson’s £116 million departure by becoming a central figure in Forest’s reshaped midfield.
Quick facts
- McAtee joined Forest from Manchester City for £30 million in summer 2025.
- He made 34 competitive appearances and scored seven goals for City.
- His only Forest goal in 2025-26 came in the Europa League.
- Anderson left for Manchester in a £116 million ($153 million) deal.
- McAtee has collected consecutive Player of the Month awards under Glasner.
- Forest return to Premier League action at Crystal Palace on Sunday.
Forest regarded the signing as a major opportunity when they paid £30 million ($40 million) for the Salford-born midfielder. McAtee had shown his quality in limited opportunities at Manchester City, notably scoring an FA Cup hat-trick against Salford City, the club owned by Gary Neville and Sir David Beckham.
He had been seeking consistent senior football, but Forest’s 2025-26 relegation battle did not offer it. Morgan Gibbs-White remained the dominant presence in the No. 10 role, leaving McAtee on the margins for much of the campaign.
His single goal across that season arrived in European competition. Questions followed him through his first year with the Reds, but Glasner’s appointment has altered his outlook.
The sale of Anderson created a significant vacancy in Forest’s midfield. Rather than immediately pursue a direct replacement, Glasner adjusted the side to a 3-4-2-1 formation and gave McAtee greater responsibility in possession.
Glasner believes the new structure has released the midfielder. He said McAtee has more licence in the role than he would have operating as a No. 6 in a back-four system, and that Forest elected to use internal options rather than make replacing Anderson their leading transfer priority.
The Austrian coach, who previously helped develop Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace, has found another playmaking option at the base of his midfield unit. McAtee’s back-to-back monthly individual awards have underlined his impact during the early weeks of the new approach.
Former Forest and England defender Walker believes an international breakthrough is possible, provided McAtee sustains his form. He stressed that England selection remains open to players who earn their place through regular high-level performances.
Walker identified McAtee and Gibbs-White as crucial to Forest’s midfield balance, but said the club must also improve its league position. He argued that a side finishing around 16th or 17th is less likely to attract attention, while good individual displays should help lift Forest higher up the table.
Forest are still adapting to a system that requires specialist players, particularly across a three-man defence. McAtee has nevertheless emerged as one of the clearest positives after an unconvincing opening to 2026-27.
The next test comes at Selhurst Park on Sunday, when Forest resume their Premier League campaign against Crystal Palace. McAtee will look to extend his influence and strengthen his case for a first England call-up.
