Leeds United’s utilization of their academy prospects has been inconsistent in recent years. While their U21s team was once one of the most promising in the country, the number of players who have successfully transitioned to the first team has been underwhelming.
Victor Orta’s recruitment strategy focused on attracting top talents from the UK and Europe, but only Crysencio Summerville seems poised to establish himself at Elland Road. Though Charlie Cresswell and Joe Gelhardt remain at the club, their playing time has been limited this season. Meanwhile, players like Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood, Darko Gyabi, and Lewis Bate have been sent out on loan.
For Drameh and Bate, their time at Leeds appears to be coming to an end with their contracts expiring. Bate, in particular, was highly regarded when he joined from Chelsea but has struggled to secure regular opportunities in the first team.
Across Bate’s appearances, his technical ability has shone through, yet his lack of physicality has hindered his progress in senior football. A successful loan spell at Oxford United last season should have earned him a new deal and a move to a higher division, but instead, he was kept with the U21s before being loaned to MK Dons in League Two.
Leeds’ handling of Bate’s development has been disappointing, failing to provide him with the necessary challenges to progress his career as expected.
