Chelsea midfielder Lewis Bate is expected to complete a move to Leeds by the end of the week, according to reports in the English media.
The 18-year-old had one year left on his contract at Stamford Bridge and was unwilling to sign an extension to his current deal as he felt that there was no clear pathway to first-team football.
Most fans on Twitter are not particularly happy about the news that Bate is set to be sold, although some did wish him well at his next club:
Not good enough. Let him go.
— stanCFC Fanat (@stanleykibor3) July 20, 2021
good riddance
— 🙂 (@seaux_seaux) July 20, 2021
These academy graduates are showing no patience and willingness to wait and fight for their places… the likes of J5 and Kante only have 3 more years at the club, why not extend and go out on loan and improve your self-band
— Joachim Esprit (@kani_esprit) July 20, 2021
Why not give him the new contract and loan him to Leeds for some game time ??♂️
— louie (@Louistellem) July 20, 2021
Sad ?
— Onion? (@Ronoh29) July 20, 2021
Am very happy for him..
— Jorginhofrello (@PapayawKhalix) July 20, 2021
“Pushed for a move away”. Key point. Good bye ??
— Gabriel G. Enríquez (@gabrienriquez) July 20, 2021
Take care of him Bielsa!!
— Amedd (@AmeddCFC) July 20, 2021
Good riddance if he isn’t willing to stay and fight for his place at Chelsea
— Craig Mosti (@CraigJamesMosti) July 20, 2021
Bate was also being pursued by the likes of Liverpool, Leicester, West Ham, Southampton and Brighton but it appears he has chosen Leeds to work under the guidance of coach Marcelo Bielsa.
Bate’s departure will be disappointing as, while not every youth player goes on to have a successful career after leaving Chelsea, he was someone that many at the club had high hopes for.
