From Forgotten to Flourishing: McAtee Embraces New Role Under Glasner

James McAtee is turning heads this Premier League season, and it’s all thanks to Oliver Glasner's guidance at Nottingham Forest. Glasner, who previously managed at Crystal Palace, has reshaped McAtee's role, making him the new heartbeat of the team in a style reminiscent of Adam Wharton. When Glasner took charge, he aimed to implement the successful 3-4-2-1 formation he had used at Palace. Central to that setup are two midfielders he affectionately refers to as ‘quarterbacks.’ Last season at Palace, Wharton was the perfect example of this, balancing defensive duties with creative flair. Replacing Elliot Anderson, who left for Manchester City, was no easy task. But few anticipated that McAtee, once a sidelined figure, would emerge as the solution. After a £30 million move from City, McAtee had found himself largely overlooked, starting only twice in the Premier League last term under various managers. Glasner has breathed new life into McAtee's career, repositioning him from an attacking No. 10 to a deeper role on the pitch. This shift is a stark contrast to what he was used to, but even Pep Guardiola recognized McAtee’s talent in tight spaces. “Pep always mentions how adept he is in confined areas,” said Brian Barry-Murphy, McAtee's former academy coach at Manchester City. “The closer the pressure, the better he performs. He excels in that role.” Now, as a small, left-footed playmaker, McAtee has embraced this new role, channeling the essence of Wharton. His ability to deliver incisive passes that slice through defenses has become a hallmark of his game, and the early results this season have been impressive. In just the first five games of the Premier League, McAtee has ranked among the league's most creative players. Only five players have crafted more chances than the 23-year-old, and he’s only outdone by three others in creativity from open play. When it comes to passes leading to shots, he stands second in the league, matching up with Bruno Fernandes, last season’s most creative player. Morgan Gibbs-White, his Forest teammate, is the only one ahead of him in that category. While Gibbs-White is undoubtedly a key player, McAtee’s contributions could be seen as even more pivotal. In Glasner’s system, he embodies the quarterback role, orchestrating the tempo of play. “They dictate the speed of our attacks, whether we push forward or maintain possession,” Glasner noted about the role last season. McAtee is central to this approach, using the quick, incisive passes that made Wharton effective at Palace. Forest's game is all about speed and efficiency, aiming to advance the ball rapidly rather than engage in patient buildup play. This is evident in the statistics: only four of Forest's attacks have been classified as 'build-up attacks' this season. They boast the fourth-best forward passing percentage and rank third for completed through balls. As McAtee continues to play a crucial role in this fast-paced style, he mirrors Wharton's influence at Palace. Both players share a knack for generating chances quickly, which is why they are so highly regarded in their respective teams. When Glasner makes his return to Crystal Palace this weekend, the spotlight will be on more than just his past success. It’s a clash of old versus new, with Wharton and McAtee symbolizing the evolution of Glasner’s coaching journey. Don’t miss the action as Crystal Palace takes on Nottingham Forest, live on Sky Sports' Super Sunday, starting at 1pm with kick-off at 2pm.