Lewis Baker

Lewis Renard Baker (born 25 April 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie side Vitesse, on loan from Chelsea, and the England national under-21 football team.

Chelsea

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. He subsequently progressed through Chelsea's academy and reserve teams.

2013–14 season

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.

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.

2014–15 season

On 29 July 2014, Chelsea manager José Mourinho said that he should be blamed if Baker would not become a senior England international under his management. He became a permanent member of Chelsea's first team squad at the beginning of the 2014–15 season. 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 appearances before his loan moves, Mourinho stated that he would receive a winner's medal for his contributions this season.

Loan to Sheffield Wednesday

On 8 January 2015, Baker was loaned to Sheffield Wednesday until 2 May 2015. 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.

Loan to MK Dons

On 25 February 2015, Baker joined Milton Keynes Dons on loan until the end of the season. After making his debut in a 2–1 loss to Coventry City, He scored his first senior goal on his second appearance for the club, in a 2–1 defeat at home to Chesterfield. 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. 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". 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.

Loan to Vitesse

On 26 June 2015, Baker joined Vitesse on a season-long loan to gain first team experience abroad. On 4 July 2015, he made his debut for Vitesse in a friendly against KV Oostende, playing the first half. 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. 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. On 30 August, he scored the opener of a 4–1 victory over SC Cambuur, he also had another goal ruled out. On 18 October, he again scored the opener in a 5–1 victory over PEC Zwolle. On February 21 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. On April 3, 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.

On 24 June 2016, Baker's loan at Vitesse was extended for the 2016–17 campaign. Baker continued his role in the three-man midfield in the first match of the season against Willem II in a 4–1 win. On 20 August 2016, Baker scored his first goal of the season in a 1–0 win against Roda JC. 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.

On 28 December 2016, The Guardian named Baker as one of 10 rising stars to watch in 2017. On 15 January 2017, Baker was sentoff in a controversial decision in Vitesse's 3–1 victory over Twente, in which he also scored his side's first goal.

Baker has represented England at under-17, under-19 and England under-20 levels. In August 2014, he was called up to the England under-20 squad and named as captain of the side for the forthcoming season, making a goalscoring debut against Romania on 5 September. In September 2014, he was called up to the England under-21 squad for the first time for a two legged 2015 European U21 Championship play-off tie against Croatia.

In 2016, Baker was part of the England squad for the Toulon Tournament and scored the opening goal in the 2-1 victory over France in the final. His tally of four goals throughout the competition also earned him the Golden Boot award.

As of 15 January 2017.

Club

Chelsea Reserves

• FA Youth Cup: 2011–12
• Barclays U21 Premier League: 2013–14

Milton Keynes Dons

• Football League One: 2014–15 Runners-Up

International

England U21

• Toulon Tournament: 2016

Individual

• NextGen Series Player of the Tournament (1): 2012–13
• Chelsea Young Player of the Year (1): 2013–14
• Chelsea Goal of the Year (1): 2013–14 vs. Arsenal U21
• Toulon Tournament Golden Boot (1): 2016

• Lewis Baker Profile, Chelsea, retrieved 24 July 2016 
• "MK Dons 5–1 Yeovil (Match Report)". BBC Sport. 3 May 2015. 
• "England beat France to win Toulon Tournament for first time in 22 years". The Guardian. 29 May 2016. 
• Lewis Baker Profile, Chelsea, retrieved 24 July 2016 
• ^ "Player of the Year Awards 2014". Chelsea FC. Retrieved 14 July 2014. 
• "England beat France to win Toulon Tournament for first time in 22 years". The Guardian. 29 May 2016.