Leeds leased out a lot of players last season while in the Premier League, trying to offer better playing opportunities for talents that wouldn’t be getting such opportunities at Elland Road.
Lewis Bate joined Oxford United and had a mixed experience there, not exactly making an impression on everyone even though he showed promise for the League One team. This season, he hasn’t been able to convert it into games under Daniel Farke.
According to journalist Darren Witcoop, Lewis Bate’s permanent offer would likely be considered by Leeds in the upcoming weeks.
The young player is obviously not a part of Elland Road’s ambitions, and as his contract expires in the summer, he can depart for no other reason than training pay.
There is no mention of clubs, but it seems that the 21-year-old’s 2.5-year tenure at the team is drawing to an end.
Bate hasn’t played for Leeds since August
After exiting the Premier League, Bate appeared to have an opportunity to fight for first team action at Elland Road under Farke.
His performance in Leeds’ opening preseason game against Manchester United, where he effectively controlled the game in the middle of the park, held great promise, but it ultimately produced no results.
He has only managed one appearance since, coming off the bench in the EFL Cup first round against Shrewsbury Town just before stoppage time.
A real shame Leeds have wasted Bate
Bate had a great reputation when he arrived from Chelsea, and Leeds appeared to have acquired a talent from one of the top programs in the nation.
We haven’t given him many opportunities to shine, but his U21 performances since joining in 2021 have shown that he is simply too good to be playing in the PL2 at young level.
We should have sent him out again in the summer after a loan to Oxford, but instead we’re selling him for far less than what he might wind up being worth.
