Lewis Baker wowed plenty of Chelsea supporters on social media yesterday thanks to his first-half performance against Bournemouth.
Baker started the opening 45 minutes of the Blues 2-1 victory down by the coast yesterday.
He looked assured in his unfamiliar position in the middle of a back three and managed to keep the Cherries’ bite to a minimum.
Typically stationed as a midfielder, the England Under-21 international coped with his new role admirably.
It hints to the 26-year-old’s importance that Thomas Tuchel’s side conceded after he was substituted at the interval.
Overall, the evening was saved by Chelsea’s returning loan players.
Armando Broja and Ike Ugbo grabbed the goals, assisted by Baba Rahman and Ross Barkley respectively.
But it was Baker who earned a lot of praise from the Stamford Bridge faithful following his brief runout in the spotlight.
Here’s how they reacted on Twitter:
Baking up the goods
With all the talk currently surrounding Sevilla centre-back Jules Kounde, Baker’s audition may have given Tuchel food for thought about bolstering that particular position.
The Cobham academy product certainly had the steadiest display compared to his defensive compatriots.
A whole host of loans have certainly helped him mature and grow in confidence, enough for his comfort zone to be compromised in order to help the team.
There can’t have been many times across his career that a manager has asked him to play at centre-half.
Yet, there Baker stood, at the Vitality Stadium in front of nearly a sell-out crowd and plenty more watching at home.
Tuchel may not include him in Chelsea’s squad next season, but his audition has definitely given the gaffer plenty of thinking to do.
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