Should Leeds United make loan move for Chelsea’s Lewis Baker?

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Should Leeds United make a move for Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker in the summer transfer window?

Leeds United were linked with a move for Lewis Baker back in 2014. It was reported by The Derby Telegraph at the time that Leeds were looking to sign Baker on loan from Chelsea.

Nothing ever materialised, as the midfielder subsequently had loan spells at Sheffield Wednesday, Milton Keynes Dons and Vitesse.

It is at Dutch club Vitesse that 22-year-old impressed the most. During the 2015-16 campaign, the midfielder scored five goals and created 69 chances in 31 Eredivisie appearances, while last season he scored 10 goals and created 56 chances in 33 league games, according to Squawka.com.

Despite the obvious talent and progress of Baker, it is hard to see him play regularly for Chelsea next season. The England Under-21 international may not even be part of the matchday squads for the Blues next season.

It would make sense for the youngster to find a club in England to play on loan next season, and Leeds could be a good destination.

The Whites will be aiming to finish in the top six of the Championship in 2017-18, and playing in front of over 30,000 fans is only going to make Baker a better, more mature and more competitive footballer.

A goalscoring central midfielder who is brilliant with set-pieces, Baker was one of the best players for the England Under-21 side at the Under-21 European Championship this summer, and signing him would enhance Leeds’s chances of clinching a playoff spot next season.

Leeds, though, are not exactly short of central midfield options. Mateusz Klich has just been signed from FC Twente, while Liam Bridcutt, Kalvin Phillips, Ronaldo Vieira and Luke Murphy all are important players in the position. Toumani Diagouraga has also returned from a loan spell at Ipswich Town, while Luke Ayling can operate in midfield.

Although the Whites have no ‘need’ for Baker as they do have some wonderful and capable central midfield players, a team can never have enough good players.

If Baker becomes available for loan and he is open to the idea of playing in the Championship, then Leeds should at least make an attempt to sign the English youngster.