Lewis Bate Explained

Lewis Bate
Fullname:Lewis Michael Bate[1]
Birth Date:28 October 2002
Birth Place:Sidcup, London, England[2]
Height:1.72 m
Position:Midfielder
Currentclub:Stockport County
Clubnumber:4
Youthyears1:2009–2011
Youthclubs1:Foots Cray Lions
Youthyears2:2011–2021
Youthclubs2:Chelsea
Years1:2021–2024
Caps1:3
Goals1:0
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Oxford United (loan)
Caps2:28
Goals2:1
Years3:2024
Clubs3:Milton Keynes Dons (loan)
Caps3:20
Goals3:0
Years4:2024–
Clubs4:Stockport County
Caps4:1
Goals4:0
Nationalyears1:2018–2019
Nationalteam1:England U17
Nationalcaps1:7
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2019
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalcaps2:2
Nationalgoals2:0
Nationalyears3:2021–
Nationalteam3:England U20
Nationalcaps3:4
Nationalgoals3:1
Club-Update:10:22, 11 August 2024 (UTC)
Ntupdate:17:14, 12 November 2021 (UTC)

Lewis Michael Bate (born 28 October 2002) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder and captains club Stockport County.

Early life

Born in London, Bate started his career with local Sidcup-based side Foots Cray Lions, before joining Chelsea at under-8 level.[3] [4] He has listed Chelsea and Liverpool legends Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard as players he looked up to as a child.[3] [5]

Club career

Chelsea

After playing a key role for Chelsea's under-18 and under-23 sides, Bate was included on the bench for the Chelsea first team three times. However, he did not feature for the first team, and was linked with a move away from Stamford Bridge in 2021, having rejected a contract offer with The Blues.[6] [7]

Leeds United

On 21 July 2021, Leeds United announced the signing of Bate on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee believed to be £1.5 million.[4] [8] [9] Since signing, Bate has been tipped to be fast-tracked into the first team squad after impressing at under-23 level.[10] He scored his first goal for Leeds under-23s on 4 November 2021 in a 5–3 EFL Trophy loss to Salford City.[11] Bate made his senior debut for Leeds United on 9 January 2022 in the starting line-up for the 2–0 FA Cup third round defeat to West Ham United.[12] He made his Premier League debut the following week, also at West Ham, when he came on as a first half replacement for Adam Forshaw, but was taken off midway through the second half, with Leeds 3–2 ahead, in a tactical substitution for Rodrigo.[13] [14]

Bate was released by Leeds in June 2024 at the conclusion of his contract.[15]

Oxford United (loan)

On 4 August 2022, Bate joined Oxford United of League One on loan for the duration of the 2022–23 season.[16] He suffered a hand injury in a game against Derby County on 11 March 2023 and, apart from a brief substitute appearance in the following game,[17] was not expected to make further appearances.[18] Before his injury he had made 26 league appearances, scoring once.

Milton Keynes Dons (loan)

On 19 January 2024, Bate joined League Two club Milton Keynes Dons until the end of the 2023-24 season.[19]

Stockport County

On 20 June 2024 it was announced that Lewis had signed a three-year contract with Stockport County.[20] He was handed the captain's armband ahead of the 2024-25 season.[21]

International career

Bate has represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-20 level. He scored his first goal for the England under-20s in a 1–1 draw with Italy.[22]

Style of play

A strong passer and dribbler, while also being good in a tackle, Bate can play in numerous midfield roles.[23] He has been described as strong both defensively and going forward, and has been compared to former Netherlands international footballer Clarence Seedorf for his ability to control play.[5]

Career statistics

.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueFA CupEFL CupEuropeOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Chelsea U212020–212020
Leeds United U212021–222121
Leeds United2021–22Premier League20100030
2023–24Championship00001010
Total201010000040
Oxford United (loan)2022–23EFL League One281302020351
Career total301403061432

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Premier League clubs publish 2020/21 retained lists. 4 June 2021. 4 November 2021. premierleague.com.
  2. Web site: Lewis Bate – the Sidcup Seedorf . The Chelsea Spot . 24 December 2021.
  3. Web site: Teenage kicks: Lewis Bate. 9 November 2019. 4 November 2021. Chelsea F.C..
  4. Web site: Leeds United Complete Lewis Bate Signing from Chelsea. 22 July 2021. 4 November 2021. Leeds United F.C..
  5. Web site: Lewis Bate: Things to know about Leeds United's new starlet. Tom. Gott. 22 July 2021. 4 November 2021. 90min.com.
  6. Web site: Chelsea wonderkid Bate close to joining Leeds after rejecting new Blues contract. Nizaar. Kinsella. 20 July 2021. 4 November 2021. goal.com.
  7. Web site: Who is Lewis Bate? The Chelsea starlet set for Leeds United switch. Paul. Macdonald. 20 July 2021. 4 November 2021. footballtransfers.com.
  8. Web site: Leeds seal deal for Chelsea teenager Bate. 22 July 2021. 4 November 2021. BBC Sport.
  9. Web site: Leeds complete transfer of Lewis Bate from Chelsea. Phil. Hay. Darren. Richman. 22 July 2021. 4 November 2021. theathletic.com.
  10. Web site: Leeds latest news: Hugely promising teenager could have development "accelerated". Sam. Brookes. 26 October 2021. 4 November 2021. givemesport.com.
  11. Web site: Lewis Bate opens Leeds United account with sensational solo goal as Salford City knock the Whites out of the EFL Trophy. Flora. Snelson. 3 November 2021. 4 November 2021. Yorkshire Evening Post.
  12. Web site: Leeds United complete Leo Hjelde swoop. 2021-08-30. Leeds United F.C.. 2021-08-27.
  13. Web site: West Ham v Leeds: Premier League Live! . The Guardian. Steinberg. Jacob. 16 January 2022. 16 January 2022.
  14. Web site: West Ham 2–3 Leeds United: Harrison hat-trick dents Hammers' top-four push. The Guardian . Steinberg. Jacob. 16 January 2022. 16 January 2022.
  15. https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c72219y5rv0o Leeds retained list
  16. Web site: Lewis Bate Joins Oxford United . 4 August 2022 . Oxford United F.C . 4 August 2022.
  17. Web site: Morecambe 1–1 Oxford United . 18 March 2023 . BBC Sport . 30 April 2023.
  18. Web site: Bate Injury Blow . 23 March 2023 . Oxford United F.C. . 30 April 2023.
  19. News: MK Dons sign Villa's Marschall and Bate from Leeds . 2024-01-19 . BBC Sport . en-GB.
  20. Web site: 2024-06-20 . Our latest Summer signing: Lewis Bate . 2024-06-20 . Stockport County . en-US.
  21. Web site: Richardson . Liam . 2024-08-10 . Lewis Bate named as new County captain . 2024-08-11 . Stockport County . en-US.
  22. Web site: Match Report: England MU20 1–1 Italy. 7 October 2021. 4 November 2021. englandfootball.com.
  23. Web site: Lewis Bate: the versatile former Chelsea midfielder who wants trophies with Leeds United. Flora. Snelson. 8 October 2021. 4 November 2021. Yorkshire Evening Post.