Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes Lewis Bate will break into the first team "sooner rather than later" after rave reviews from Marcelo Bielsa.
Speaking in his press conference last week, Bielsa was full of praise for the Whites' summer signing stating he could "thread it through (the eye) of a needle” when discussing his passing ability.
The midfielder has already made an impact on Leeds U23's squad this season with a number of impressive performances.
Bate is yet to make it into the First Team matchday set-up after signing from Chelsea in the summer, but Whelan is backing the 18-year-old to make a big impact.
“I was when he signed. I thought that was a great signing," Whelan told Football Insider.
“We know how dominant Chelsea’s under-23s and youth team have been over a number of years now. You know he’s coming from a good crop.
“To come to Leeds, I felt this was another signing which we could see, probably, making his breakthrough into the first team sooner rather than later.
“Whether that’s on the bench, he’s a good young player doing good things in the under-23s.
“That’s what you want to do. You want players coming in, catching the eye of the manager and putting pressure on the first team.”
