Why Lewis Baker is an excellent signing for Leeds United
As per reports, Leeds United have signed midfielder Lewis Baker on a season-long loan from Chelsea. The 23-year-old became new Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa‘s first signing of the summer.
Baker’s career has stalled in recent times but as a teenager, he was considered as one of England’s brightest talents. He came through the Blues’ youth ranks but has only made one substitute appearance for the senior team and played just 12 times for Middlesbrough in the Championship last season, scoring two goals.
However, Baker has had a couple of successful loan spells. He was really impressive for Dutch side Vitesse, where he spent 2 years. In that period, he played 73 games, scoring 20 goals and setting up 11 more.
He dazzled at Vitesse, showing his creativity and flair that made him a fan favourite at the Dutch club. Not to forget, Baker also had a decent loan spell with MK Dons in 2015 where he played 12 games, chipping in with 3 goals and 2 assists.
A move to Leeds will be Baker’s 5th loan move since joining Chelsea, and an important one to kickstart his career following a frustrating loan spell at Middlesbrough last season.
The 23-year-old arrives with a very good reputation in the game, having represented England at Under-16, Under-17, Under-19, Under-20 and Under-21 levels.
In terms of his style of play, Baker is an attacking midfielder by trade, who can play as a holding midfielder, a box-to-box player or on the flanks. He can link up very well with the forwards from a central midfield role and show his undoubted quality on the ball.
The youngster is a set-piece specialist whilst his natural two-footedness makes him a dangerous player to have in the squad. The 23-year-old also has the energy required to press from the front, as Bielsa demands from every player. Not only is Baker creative but he is also a workhorse who can help his team in defence.
In Bielsa’s high-intensity 3-3-1-3 formation, Baker will thrive in that holding midfielder’s role, occupying pockets of space, dictating the tempo of the game and driving teams forward with his energy. Due to his top-level fitness and stamina, the U21 England international can cover vast distances on the pitch as well.
Baker certainly has plenty of competition in the current Leeds squad, with Ronaldo Vieira, Mateusz Klich, Yosuke Ideguchi, Adam Forshaw and Eunan O’Kane being the club’s current central midfield options.
But due to Baker’s versatility, distribution, intelligence and technical ability, Bielsa would have the luxury of using the Chelsea loanee in different positions as per requirements.
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A player with tremendous vision, a neat and tidy passing game, aerial ability and athleticism, Baker perfectly fits Bielsa’s profile for the type of player he wants at Leeds. With the loan signing of Baker, Leeds have added a technically gifted player to their ranks with top potential and substance.
