Leeds United loaned out midfielder Lewis Bate to MK Dons in League One for the second half of the season, as his contract expires at the conclusion of the season.
Victor Orta’s youth investments have not been entirely successful, though the form of Pascal Struijk and Crysencio Summerville this season indicates that the enterprise as a whole has proven to be significantly beneficial.
Many of the new recruits have yet to make an impact in the first squad and are instead learning the ropes on loan or on permanent contracts.
Lewis Bate is flourishing at MK Dons on loan.
A loan agreement would have been ideal for the former Chelsea midfielder, but he instead stayed with the U21s for the first half of the season before moving to MK Dons in January for the remainder of the season.
His efforts in League Two under Mike Williamson have made him an immediate favourite among MK Dons fans, especially a fantastic display against Newport County last weekend:
Leeds and Farke may have given up on Bate too early.
Given how well our midfield has performed this season, it’s understandable that Bate hasn’t played for us, as has Darko Gyabi, who is doing well at Plymouth Argyle.
However, with a 21-year-old England youth international on the books, his worth may easily rise to the point of profit in the summer after this loan.
If Leeds aren’t going to have Bate in their plans, they should have at least signed him to a contract extension to ensure he doesn’t go for nothing this summer but training compensation.
Bate could help MK Dons win promotion this season, which would boost his value given that he can comfortably play in the top tier of League One.
He may never have been good enough to play for Leeds in the Championship or Premier League, but it made little sense to freeze him out rather than let him go for nothing.
