Leeds United loanee Lewis Baker continues to struggle as he was replaced at half-time at the weekend.
Patrick Bamford may have stolen the headlines during Leeds’ under-23 win against Burnley this week following his hat-trick, but it was Lewis Baker’s display in the 6-3 win that was really encouraging.
The midfielder has endured a difficult first few months at Elland Road. He did not make his first Championship start until late November and has struggled to make an impact when he has featured, but looked a class apart against the Clarets’ youngsters.
It was no surprise therefore, when Marcelo Bielsa kept him in the starting lineup for the trip to Bolton on Saturday amid the speculation surrounding Samuel Saiz.
But unfortunately for Baker, he was replaced at the interval once again as Leeds were relying on a second-half Bamford strike for the three points that has sent them back to the top of the Championship.
And after his latest appearance, the question needs to be asked whether Baker is running out of chances to prove himself at Leeds.
The Whites are not short of options in the middle of the park. Jack Clarke came on at Bolton and was involved in the build-up to the goal, Izzy Brown is edging back towards full fitness while Kalvin Phillips and Jamie Shackleton are amongst those who will come into contention when some of the first-choice defenders return from injury.
Baker has the talent to make an impact in a promotion-chasing side. It may just take one moment of brilliance to act as a catalyst for the Chelsea midfielder, but surely he may be in danger of running out of chances.
Bielsa has shown a huge amount of faith in his players, so it should surprise no-one if Baker continues to start for the time-being. But Baker can surely have few complaints if he quickly faces another fight to get back into the side if he continues to struggle.
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