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After a few days of speculation, Chelsea’s Lewis Baker has officially joined Leeds United on loan. The midfielder has previously spent time on loan with Middlesbrough, Vitesse Arnhem, MK Dons, and Sheffield Wednesday.
It was rumoured yesterday that Baker could be headed to Leeds on a permanent deal, but it was announced today that he’s on a season-long loan instead.
✍️ | #LUFC are delighted to announce the season-long loan signing of @lew_baker from Premier League side Chelsea
— Leeds United (@LUFC) June 30, 2018
Baker was well-regarded as a England U21 international, and he’s apparently ready to prove himself after a less-than-stellar spell at Boro.
There has been plenty written about him, and plenty of admirers at SBNation’s Chelsea site, We Ain’t Got No History.
From the comments of the fans at WAGNH, Baker is still held in high regard, despite the poor season at Boro. So let’s just chalk that up to Baker not fitting into Tony Pulis’s defence-first system. Baker appeared a few times under Garry Monk at Boro, but once Pulis came to the club, Baker seemed to be frozen out, possibly because Baker can pass the ball on the ground and can play exciting football, something that is never in fashion for a Pulis side.
He had a great two-year run at Vitesse Arnhem, so perhaps if he rekindles some of that magic under Marcelo Bielsa, Leeds will get a Premier League quality player on a loan.