Discover how James McAtee stepped up for Nottingham Forest under Oliver Glasner in the Premier League.
When Nottingham Forest sold Elliot Anderson to Manchester City for a massive £116m transfer fee over the summer, many pundits expected the club to splurge on a brand-new central midfielder in the Premier League, according to information published by FF2 Futebol.
Instead of entering the transfer market for expensive alternatives like Lucas Bergvall or Tijjani Reijnders, manager Oliver Glasner chose to look inward and hand James McAtee a much more prominent role within his tactical system at the City Ground.
McAtee arrived from Manchester City last year on a five-year deal for £30m, but initially struggled for regular first-team minutes under previous managers while Anderson thrived as the undisputed key man in the middle of the park for the Midlands side.
Transitioning into Oliver Glasner tactical setup
Oliver Glasner implemented his favored 3-4-2-1 formation at Nottingham Forest, requiring one central midfielder to act as a primary ball winner and another to dictate the tempo, much like Daichi Kamada or Will Hughes did alongside Adam Wharton at Crystal Palace.
Summer signing Xaver Schager embraced the ball-winning duties with an impressive average of 4.1 tackles per 90, which successfully freed up space for his midfield partner to maximize vision, distribute possession cleanly, and influence attacking phases quickly.
Comparing passing grades and one-touch ability
Evaluating player metrics using Gradient Sports reveals that McAtee adjusted well to his new deep-lying responsibilities, earning an 87th percentile passing grade of 73.9, which closely mirrors Anderson's previous 97th percentile mark of 81 during the last campaign.
Furthermore, McAtee matched the famed one-touch passing style associated with Adam Wharton, recording a 73.3 grade that ranks in the 87th percentile across the English top flight, nearly equaling Anderson's 73.4 grade from the previous season.
Defensive contributions and duel success
While McAtee excelled in distribution and forward progression, his defensive statistics showed room for improvement, registering a tackling grade of 56.3 in the 16th percentile, whereas Anderson ranked much higher at 72.7 in the 79th percentile.
Despite lower tackling marks, McAtee outperformed his predecessor in 50/50 physical duels with a 79 rating compared to Anderson's 67.8, demonstrating a strong ability to win possession back when contesting loose or bouncing balls in midfield.
Driving attacks under the new manager
McAtee established himself as a vital quarter-back figure for Nottingham Forest, ranking fourth overall in forward passes and placing second only behind team captain Morgan Gibbs-White with 16 created chances in the current Premier League campaign.
These rapid transitions fueled a counter-attacking threat where Glasner's side generated 14 shots following quick turnovers, helping channel 31 percent of all team attacks directly through the central corridor of the pitch at the City Ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did James McAtee replace Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest?
James McAtee filled the void left by Elliot Anderson's £116m transfer to Manchester City by adapting his game to fit manager Oliver Glasner's tactical system at Nottingham Forest.
What are the statistical comparisons between McAtee and Adam Wharton?
McAtee mirrors the quick, one-touch passing style of Adam Wharton, recording a passing grade in the 87th percentile of the Premier League this season.
What tactical formation does manager Oliver Glasner use at Nottingham Forest?
Oliver Glasner deploys a 3-4-2-1 tactical formation at Nottingham Forest, utilizing one dedicated ball-winning midfielder alongside a tempo-setting distributor.
How much did Nottingham Forest pay to sign James McAtee?
Nottingham Forest signed James McAtee from Manchester City for a fee of £30m on a five-year contract.
