Whelan: Leeds tipped to hand Bate key role after ‘brilliant’ Twitter reveal
Leeds United can “rely” on Lewis Bate for the remainder of this term after his “massive contribution” against West Ham, according to Noel Whelan.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed it was “brilliant to see” a positive reaction from the 19-year-old following his substitution.
Bate played 42 minutes in his Premier League debut as Leeds United beat West Ham 3-2 on Sunday (16 January).
The midfielder’s disappointment was visible immediately after he was subbed off after replacing Adam Forshaw in the first half.
However, Bate posted on Twitter post-match to acknowledge he has a “lot to learn and improve on” in future.
Whelan suggested the youngster “didn’t look out of place” after replacing the experienced Forshaw.
“It’s brilliant to see that reaction from him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“He’s in that first-team for a reason, he’s obviously a great young talent.
“But it doesn’t matter what age you are, no one likes being taken off when you’ve come on as a substitute.
“I can see his disappointment, and it’s good to see that emotion from him on the bench. But at the same time, he didn’t let it linger – as soon as the three points were in the bag, he will have realised his massive contribution.
“Leeds United are going to need and rely on him from now until the end of the season, whether that’s for 60 minutes or 40 minutes.
“He didn’t look out of place in that midfield at all when Forshaw went off.”
Bate joined Leeds United in July 2021 after leaving Chelsea in search of more first-team football.
The London-born midfielder has played four times for England’s under-20 side.
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