Leeds United failed to bolster Marcelo Bielsa’s playing squad with any additions during the January transfer window.
The Yorkshire giants have suffered from numerous injuries throughout the 2021/22 campaign, so it’s quite surprising to see them fail to make at least one signing, especially in the midfield department, where it has now been four years and eight windows without an incoming.
It’s not entirely through any fault of their own, though.
Michael Cuisance failed a medical in 2020, Conor Gallagher snubbed them for Crystal Palace in the summer and the Whites saw two bids rejected for Brenden Aaronson during the final few weeks of last month.
Bielsa really could’ve done with some form of reinforcements as the injury situation has been really severe in recent weeks. During a Premier League clash against West Ham United, he could only name one senior pro on his nine-man bench, meaning there were eight academy prospects in the squad.
And with Kalvin Phillips missing another month as he looks to recover from hamstring surgery, the Argentine needs an extra body in the heart of midfield.
He could well find a little solution in U23 gem Lewis Bate, who actually made his top-flight debut in that aforementioned win over the Irons, which suggests that Bielsa sees enough in him to feature in the big time.
The 5 foot 6 pocket dynamo has been likened to Clarence Seedorf due to his ability to run games from midfield, with the likes of Steven Gerrard and new Everton boss Frank Lampard being some of his idols.
“Primarily, Bate is a No. 6, able to play either role in a double 6, or in a 3 with two 8s. Despite being quick and robust for his size, the question during his transition into senior football is how much and how early he’ll be able to play as a solo No. 6., especially at a Premier League level,” once claimed U18 and U23 recruitment analyst Connor Rowden to LeedsLive.
“His ability to take control of the tempo of a game from deep, dropping into spaces and probing with his mastery of the short and long passing game is where he excels.”
Elsewhere, he has been dubbed “very gifted” and a “lovely passer” by The Athletic’s Phil Hay, who is already a huge fan of the 19-year-old prospect.
It’s that sort of ball-carrying and ball-retaining capability that is right up Bielsa’s street and in the absence of someone like Phillips, he could well be a presence that’s needed throughout February.
He may be vastly-experienced but the former Chelsea teen ought to be considered for a bigger role in the coming games, even more so after their gutting blow over Aaronson this January.
AND in other news, Bielsa made a huge January transfer howler at Leeds over £22.5m-rated “special talent”…