What next for McAtee amid Anderson uncertainty?

He lifted the trophy as captain in Bratislava after a dramatic extra-time win against Germany as the Young Lions sealed back-to-back titles.

Alongside him was Nottingham Forest team-mate and fellow midfielder Elliot Anderson, with the pair named in the team of the tournament.

Since then Anderson has become a key man for England boss Thomas Tuchel and helped his country to an opening World Cup win against Croatia on Wednesday.

Manchester City - McAtee's former club - have had two bids rejected for Anderson, the last worth £120m which would have made him the most expensive English player in history.

In contrast, McAtee battled to be seen in his debut season at the City Ground, struggling for minutes under Forest's four managers.

So what does next season look like for the 23-year-old?

There is belief at the City Ground it is only a matter of time before it comes together for McAtee, despite his struggles.

He remains part of Vitor Pereira's plans for next season and one source believes he will "explode", such is his natural talent.

To much excitement from supporters, McAtee arrived on a five-year deal worth about £30m weeks after the under-21s' Euro 2025 triumph.

The nurturing and development of Anderson and Morgan Gibbs-White was a selling point - that McAtee can be the next one off the conveyor belt.

He was part of Forest's £180m spending spree, yet made just two Premier League starts last season as Gibbs-White locked the number 10 position down - scoring a season's-best 18 goals and narrowly missing out on England's World Cup squad.

Had Gibbs-White joined Tottenham the season could have looked very different.

McAtee played just 287 minutes in the club's successful battle against relegation, and started nine of Forest's 16 Europa League games in their run to the semi-finals.

He played 50 minutes under Nuno Espirito Santo, who was sacked three games into the season, 161 minutes during Ange Postecoglou's brief reign and 441 minutes for Sean Dyche.

Under Pereira, McAtee managed 378 minutes in all competitions.

He made just one assist and is yet to score for Forest in the league, netting a penalty in the Europa League, while his best return was nine goals in the Championship on loan at Sheffield United.

Any frustrations from the season have lit a fire though, so much that earning an England call for Euro 2028 is a target - and he is still highly rated in the international set-up.

McAtee, who is settled at the City Ground, had a week off at the end of the season and has since trained every day using a specific programme set by Forest and his personal fitness, strength and conditioning coach.

He has added more strength and conditioning work and is expected to return for pre-season in peak shape.

His fitness was briefly questioned by Dyche last season but during one running exercise McAtee came second in the squad, earning praise from the former Everton manager who apologised for doubting him.

It is a character trait that he has remained focused. Despite limited game time McAtee has earned credit for not shirking the challenge and displaying humility.

Around the training ground he has been described as polite and has been noted for his work ethic, willingness to improve and the way he treats players, staff and others equally.

McAtee's game intelligence is also valued and he is seen as a player who can find the solutions on the pitch before others.

There is a sense he is still developing and, with a good pre-season, there is an expectation he will be able to fight for a place.

The onus will be placed on McAtee to establish himself, but Pereira's fluid style of play also suits him.

Comparisons have been made internally with Bernardo Silva - both players can be viewed as defensively fragile but capable of delivering match-winning moments.

There is sympathy for his lack of minutes, which has stopped the former Sheffield United loanee being able to make a consistent mark.

Given Forest's chaotic season, changes of managers, battling the drop and deep run in Europe, there were few opportunities to ease McAtee in.

Summer buys Dan Ndoye and Dilane Bakwa can have similar complaints, meaning there is more pressure to perform in snatched substitute appearances than being allowed to find a rhythm playing regularly.

But of the players who played fewer than 300 top-flight minutes, McAtee - in 287 minutes - made the most ball carries with 47 over a distance of 560 metres, and created the most chances (six).

It is evidence of why there is belief with more minutes his output will increase and a conviction he will shape games next term.

Anderson - who is close with McAtee from the England set-up - was Forest's driving force for survival last season and he will be missed should, as expected, City finally agree a deal to take him to Etihad Stadium.

He does his best work from deep, with McAtee coming further forward so there is no pressure for him to step up to fill the gap once Anderson leaves.

One young English talent is expected to move on, but in McAtee Forest still have another.

He will be encouraged to follow his own path, even if his current road at the City Ground has been far from straightforward.