Oxford United manager Karl Robinson says Leeds United loanee Lewis Bate has been impressive this season.
Bate joined Leeds in July 2021, for a reported 1.5million. He was highly rated at youth level for Chelsea and England. Despite not making more than three first team appearances for Leeds, the club value his potential.
The 20-year old has made 12 starts for Oxford this season, providing three assists. U’s manager Karl Robinson says he has very high hopes for the youngster:
“He’s [Lewis Bate] is one of the best I’ve worked with, and I mean that.”
“The problem is, we’ve [Oxford United] got him so young, we’ll be watching him in three or four years’ time running games at the top level, I’m sure of that.
“The kid’s a magician, He needs goals and assists, that becomes the reason you play in the central area of the football pitch. Cameron Brannagan does that and that’s something he [Bate] needs to start adding to his game.”
Oxford sit in 14th place after 24 games played this season, 11 points off the promotion play-off places. Bate is among only four players under the age of 21 to have provided three or more assists in League One this season. Leeds will hope his development is fast tracked to a first team squad place next season.
