Lewis Bate lifts lid on first Premier League steps with Leeds United and Marcelo Bielsa - YEP 27/1/22
Lewis Bate has hailed the role of Leeds United's senior stars after taking his first steps in the Premier League.
By Joe Urquhart
Lewis Bate has hailed the role of Leeds United's senior
stars after taking his first steps in the Premier League.
The 19-year-old made his top flight bow in tricky
circumstances earlier this month at West Ham - a week on from his senior debut
against the Hammers in FA Cup action.
Bate was a first half substitute as Marcelo Bielsa's side
were dealt a double injury blow at the London Stadium.
He completed 43 minutes before later being replaced himself
in the stunning 3-2 victory for Leeds in the capital, a game that will live
long in his memory.
"Playing in the Premier League is every player's dream
from across the world, everyone knows it's the best league in the world,"
Bate told LUTV of his first Premier League experience.
"Especially representing Leeds in the Premier League,
it's a special feeling. Even from outside Leeds, everyone knows the training's
hard but the senior players have helped us through it every step of the way
when we've needed help, and when we've been around the first-team they've
guided and supported us."
Bate has been a regular in Mark Jackson's Under-23s outfit
since making the move from Chelsea in the summer.
He has now experienced playing in front of a packed stadium
on-pitch and from the bench, believing the Whites support to be among the best
he has seen.
"It's the same wherever they go, to be honest with
you," Bate added of United's raucous following.
"I remember being on the bench against Arsenal at home,
we lost the game 4-1 but in the 90th minute we had about 30,000 singing 'We
love Leeds' - I don't think it's like that at any other club, it's unique.
"They're always the loudest wherever they go and the
most supportive. They're unbelievable."
