Lewis Bate wins PL2 Player of the Month; Xavier Mbuyamba returns to training

Young Chelsea midfielder Lewis Bate has been named the PL2 Player of the Month for December. He was nominated for the award alongside U23 teammate Tino Anjorin.

“I was shocked when I found out just because of the level of competition there was among the nominations. To beat those players to the award is a special feeling and I know there have been great players to have won it in the past. I’m over the moon.”

“There were some players from Chelsea who were left out of the nominations which I was quite shocked about. Tino Livramento, Myles Peart-Harris and Marcel Lewis all deserve a mention.”

- Lewis Bate; source: Chelsea FC

Bate has played a pivotal role for the PL2-leading Chelsea Development Squad as the engine of the midfield, ensuring that opposition attacks are neutralized while also being the conduit of possession for the team.

Bate has been training regularly with the senior team these days, and while he didn’t make the matchday squad for our FA Cup game against Morecambe, there’s no doubt he’ll get plenty of opportunities in the future. His next game is likely to be against Southampton U23 in the PL2.

Congratulations, Lewis!

Keeping up with the Chelsea winners tradition, Iké Ugbo’s second goal against RSC Charleroi has been named Cercle Brugge’s Goal of the Month for December. In the 25th minute, the Chelsea loanee made it 2-1 with a fantastic right-footed shot after the Charleroi goalkeeper had raced out of his goal.

Though Cercle Brugge eventually lost that game, 3-4, Ugbo has been in terrific form this season, scoring 10 goals and providing 1 assist in 18 games so far. Cercle Brugge are 16th in the Jupiler Pro League after 20 matches.

And in more good news, Xavier Mbuyamba has recently returned to training with the Chelsea Development Squad, having been out of action with a torn meniscus since his arrival in August 2020. Although the Academy is presently closed off due to a COVID-19 outbreak, we should see Mbuyamba back in action soon once the players return for training.