Leeds United set a lot of stock in recruiting and bringing through younger talents in order to develop them into top players. Not only a smart strategy financially, it also ensures a constant flow of youth into the side.
That was the idea when Leeds recruited Lewis Bate from Chelsea last season for a fee of £1.58m for an 18-year-old without a single appearance for the first team. One of the most highly rated central midfielders coming through in the youth ranks, the idea was that Bate would get the opportunities to grow in the Premier League.
Yet so far it hasn’t worked out for either party. After his first season in Yorkshire Bate has made just four senior appearances amounting 191 minutes in total. Three of those came in the Premier League and the other coming in the FA Cup, where he was hooked at half-time against West Ham.
The latest blow to Bate’s progression is being left out of Leeds’ preseason tour to Australia. The English midfielder will stay in Yorkshire and train there, but it’s a clear sign that manager Jesse Marsch does not trust him for next season.
Journalist Adam Pope reported that both Bate and fellow midfielder Jamie Shackleton are being linked with a loan move out of the club.
While it’s important not to place too much importance on a disappointing year at such an early stage in Bate’s career, Leeds will be hoping a loan move can kickstart his progression and they can see some return on their investment.
