Arguably Baker’s most successful loan was in the Eredivisie with Vitesse Arnhem, where he spent two seasons and caught the eye with midfield control and a penchant for a spectacular set-piece, which he could deliver with either foot. In his final game for the club in April 2017, he helped them secure the KNVB Cup for the first time in their history.
Further Championship spells with Middlesbrough, Leeds United and Reading followed, though he was unable to secure promotion to the Premier League and joined Bundesliga side Fortuna Dusseldorf in the summer of 2019, where he made seven league appearances.
Baker’s most recent loan spell was in Turkey with Trabzonspor as he linked up with former Blues player and coach Eddie Newton, who he had worked closely with in the loans programme at Chelsea. Although Newton departed during the campaign, Baker was a regular in the side with 36 appearances and two goals in 2020/21 before his premature return to Cobham amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
Baker will now move to Staffordshire on a permanent deal, with the side currently pushing for a place in the Championship play-offs. We wish Lewis well for the future and thank him for his contributions at Chelsea.