Pundit shares ‘100%’ Bate prediction after confirmed Leeds news
Lewis Bate “100 per cent” has a chance to make an impact in the Leeds United first-team next season, according to Gabby Agbonlahor.
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Aston Villa and England forward claimed there is no better time to be a young professional footballer than now.
The Whites confirmed last week (22 July) that Bate had penned a three-year deal from the club after joining from Chelsea.
The 18-year-old will initially link up with Mark Jackson’s Under-23s side for the upcoming campaign.
The Athletic reported on 22 July Leeds beat West Ham United, Liverpool, Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion to Bate’s signature.
He is the third player Leeds have signed this summer for their Under-23s side after Amari Miller and Sean McGurk from Birmingham City and Wigan Athletic, respectively.
Asked whether Bate can have an impact on the first-team next season, Agbonlahor told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley: “Yes, 100 per cent.
“You’ve got to keep working hard and show what you can do. That’s all you can do.
“Just keep performing in the Under-23s games. This is definitely the time for young players to be given a chance in football. Year by year, it’s getting more fashionable for young players to get a chance.
“It’s a good time to be a young player and you’ll get your chance.”
Leeds’ Under-23s side are set to play in Premier League 2 Division 1 next season after winning the Division 2 title last season.
The young Whites won the division by a whopping 11 points.
In other news, a Leeds United favourite may have doubled his money after quitting Elland Road.