The arrival of Lewis Baker at Leeds United means that the central midfield number at the club have risen to 8. Some are on their way out and some will want to cement a place in the team during pre-season. Where does Lewis Baker fit into the midfield? That’s the question being asked today.
Baker, 23 is experienced in the Championship and indeed the Football League although he hasn’t played many games. He is also a well capped England youth international and has benefitted from two years in Holland, helping Vitesse to their first Dutch Cup in their 125 year history, bagging both goals in the semi final.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oqQTy2hfsJ4
Bielsa plays two formations, one he prefers and one that he will use and may well be the one we see in his early days if he is slightly cautious. The 3-3-1-3 formation is his famous system, wing-backs and an enganche the two positions that we haven’t really seen at Leeds United. If that formation was used then it’s hard to see where Baker would play given the competition but then Bielsa may think the competition is Baker and not the other way around.
Baker isn’t a number 10, or an enganche as Bielsa dubbed the role. An engance is a forward, sometimes even a striker that plays in behind and is normally the dictator of forward moves. We already have one player who fits that role like a personalised glove, Samu Saiz. The other is Pablo Hernandez and between them you would think they would command that role.
Baker would be more suited to the central role despite not being defensive minded. We know that Bielsa first and foremost looks for technical players. Baker fits that bill and maybe he does see him as player deeper and getting on the ball. The on loan Chelsea player is both footed and can play in tight areas. Is he as compatible as Adam Forshaw in that role though?
The other formation is 4-2-1-3. It sticks with the enganche but plays two central midfielders behind that player. This is where Baker fits perfect. He is attack minded and likes to get forward and break into the box. Having someone who would sit and patrol the deeper gives him that licence to get forward and support the attacking line.
