Chelsea’s Baker says loan spell has made him a better player

Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker believes he will return to Stamford Bridge a better player following his loan spell in the Netherlands.

Baker has played 29 times for Vitesse Arnhem, including Europa League qualifiers against Southampton, and has scored four goals.

The 20-year-old has previously been loaned out to Sheffield Wednesday and MK Dons but feels his Dutch experience will stand him in good stead.

He told the FA’s official website: “The culture is different and you’re away from your friends and family, and sometimes it can get lonely.

“But you’re there to do a job and learn as much as you can and I have learned a lot on the pitch.

“The coaches in Holland have helped. I’ve learned a lot of things for my position and it’s starting to show in games.

“The more you play the more you learn because different games throw up different scenarios.

“My application to the game has been much better. I’ll definitely take that back with me.”

Baker is on a season-long loan at Vitesse, along with fellow Blues youngsters Dominic Solanke (seven goals in 21 appearances) and Izzy Brown (one goal in 20 appearances).