Lewis Baker (footballer)

Baker joined Chelsea as a nine-year-old in 2005, having previously attended Luton Town's centre of excellence and attracted the attention of Queens Park Rangers, Charlton Athletic, Aston Villa, Derby County, Wimbledon, and Arsenal.[3] He subsequently progressed through Chelsea's academy and reserve teams.[2]

On 5 January 2014, Baker made his professional debut as an 87th-minute substitute for Oscar in a 2–0 FA Cup third round win over Derby County at Pride Park.[4]

On 24 April 2014, Baker scored a wonder goal against Arsenal Under 21 in the Barclays Under 21 League, which was voted to be the goal of the season.[5]

Baker became a permanent member of Chelsea's first team squad at the beginning of the 2014–15 season.[6] He was named on the bench for Chelsea's games against Bolton Wanderers and Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup, but he did not make an appearance in either match.

Although Baker did not make a single appearance before his loan moves, Mourinho stated that he would receive a winner's medal for his contributions that season.[7]

On 8 January 2015, Baker was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday until 2 May 2015.[8][9] He made his league debut as a second-half substitute, replacing Jacques Maghoma in the Owls 2–0 away win at Nottingham Forest two days later. On 27 January 2015, he made his first start against Birmingham City which ended 0–0 draw. On 10 February 2015, he was recalled by his parent club after spending a month in Sheffield and making 4 appearances.[10]

On 25 February 2015, Baker joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the season.[11] After making his debut in a 2–1 loss to Coventry City,[12] He scored his first senior goal on his second appearance for the club, in a 2–1 defeat at home to Chesterfield.[13] On 21 March, he scored his second goal for the club during a 4–1 win at home to Notts County, keeping alive the club's chances of automatic promotion.[14] He was earned the praise of MK Dons's manager, Karl Robinson; in his interview, Robinson stated that "he's very fortunate to have him playing for him" and that he is "one of the hardest working players he's ever worked with".[15] On 14 April 2015 during the game against Fleetwood Town, Baker hit the crossbar in the first half; but in the second half, he scored the opening goal as MK Dons went on to win 3–0.[16]

His form, playing alongside Dele Alli in midfield,[17] helped MK Dons get promoted from Football League One by finishing the 2014–15 Football League One Runners-Up.[18]

On 26 June 2015, Baker joined Vitesse on a season-long loan to gain first team experience abroad.[19] On 4 July 2015, he made his debut for Vitesse in a friendly against KV Oostende, playing the first half.[20] He made his competitive debut 26 days later in a UEFA Europa League third qualifying round first leg against Southampton at St. Mary's, playing the full 90 minutes of a 3–0 defeat and giving away the ball to Shane Long to score the final goal.[21] On 9 August, he made his Eredivisie debut in a 1–1 draw against Willem II where he played the full 90 minutes; five days later he scored a penalty after Ard van Peppen's handball to open a 3–0 home victory over Roda JC.[22] On 30 August, he scored the opener of a 4–1 victory over SC Cambuur, he also had another goal ruled out.[23] On 18 October, he again scored the opener in a 5–1 victory over PEC Zwolle.[24] On 21 February 2016, he scored late in the game against De Graafschap, saving Vitesse from a loss to their local rivals. At the end of the season, this goal was voted Goal of the Season at the Dutch club.[25] On 3 April he set a record for the season creating 9 chances in a single game; he also scored a magnificent free-kick from 27 yards, but his performance was not enough to save Vitesse from a 2–1 loss against NEC.[26]

On 24 June 2016, Baker's loan at Vitesse was extended for the 2016–17 campaign.[27] Baker continued his role in the three-man midfield in the first match of the season against Willem II in a 4–1 win.[28] On 20 August 2016, Baker scored his first goal of the season in a 1–0 win against Roda JC.[29] On 14 December 2016, Baker scored his 10th goal of the season in a KNVB Cup tie against fifth tier side, Jodan Boys. The game resulted in a 4–0 victory for Vitesse, with Baker slotting home a penalty in the 52nd minute.[30] On 28 December 2016, The Guardian named Baker as one of 10 rising stars to watch in 2017.[31] On 15 January 2017, Baker was sent off in a controversial decision in Vitesse's 3–1 victory over Twente, in which he also scored his side's first goal.[32] On 1 March 2017, Baker scored twice in a 2–1 victory over Sparta Rotterdam to send Vitesse to the KNVB Cup final for the first time in twenty-seven years.[33]

He played as Vitesse won the final of the KNVB Beker 2–0 against AZ Alkmaar on 30 April 2017 to lead the club, 3-time runners up, to the title for the first time in its 125-year history.[34]

On 11 August 2017, after signing a new five-year deal with Chelsea, Baker joined Championship side Middlesbrough on a season-long loan.[35] He scored his first goal for Middlesbrough in an EFL Cup tie against Scunthorpe United on 22 August 2017.[36] He scored his first in the league for Middlesbrough in a 3–2 win against Q.P.R. on 16 September 2017.[37]

After featuring more regularly under then manager Garry Monk, making 12 appearances in all competition by the end of October, with Monk's dismissal,[38] Baker only featured twice under new manager Tony Pulis during the remainder of the season. Making 14 appearances in all competitions.[39]

On 30 June 2018, Baker agreed to return to the Championship despite his unsuccessful loan spell with Middlesbrough, to join Leeds United on a season-long loan.[40] With Baker becoming new head coach Marcelo Bielsa's first signing for Leeds.[41] On 26 July 2018, Baker was given the number 34 shirt for the upcoming 2018–19 season for Leeds.[42]

He made his debut for Leeds in the opening game of the 2018–19 season on 5 August 2018, as a substitute against Stoke City at Elland Road in a 3–1 win.[43] On 14 August, Baker made his first start for Leeds, starting for Leeds in an EFL Cup match against Bolton Wanderers.[44] After making all his prior league appearances as a substitute, on 27 November 2018 Baker made his first start in the league for Leeds in a 1–0 win against Reading[45]

On 9 January 2019, Baker was recalled from Leeds United and sent on loan to Reading until the end of the season.[46] Baker was in good form for Reading throughout his loan, scoring his first goal on 6 April against Hull City.[47]

On 24 July 2019, Baker joined Bundesliga club Fortuna Düsseldorf on loan, with an option to buy included in the deal.[48]

On 18 September 2020, Baker continued his loan journey this time with the Turkish side Trabzonspor until the end of 2020–21 season.[49][50] One day later, on 19 September, he made his club debut as a starter in a 0–0 draw against Denizlispor.[51]