Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker ‘very annoyed’ to be warming the bench at Fortuna Dusseldorf
CHELSEA loanee Lewis Baker is very annoyed to be warming the bench at Fortuna Dusseldorf, according to reports.
The 24-year-old joined the Bundesliga side on loan from the Blues in the summer in what was his SEVENTH spell away from Stamford Bridge.
Despite a promising start to life in Germany where he earned the praise of manager Friedhelm Funkel, Baker has since fallen out of favour and hasn't played a minute of football in the club's past five games.
An anonymous source in a report from German newspaper Bild said because of this, the midfielder "is therefore very angry and does not understand the world anymore."
Boss Funkel added to the same outlet: “It is part of the job to have disgruntled players.
“There is no such thing as a player who is sitting on the bench that is happy about it.
"But they sort this out among the circle of their teammates, which is what a coach expects.
“They don't remain down in the dumps.”
He went on to explain that “the bottom line is I have an oversupply of midfielders. We have too many strong players in that area."
"Lewis will also get his chance again, he has offered more in practice during the last two weeks. He did not believe that before."
Despite improving in training, Baker was once again an unused substitute during Fortuna's 4-0 defeat at home to Bayern Munich.
But he expressed hope of a recall on Saturday's clash with Hoffenheim after sharing his personal disappointment at how his loan has panned out so far.
There is no such thing as a player who is sitting on the bench that is happy about it. Lewis will also get his chance again
Friedhelm Funkel on Chelsea loanee Lewis Baker
Baker said: "We have a very good team, with a great midfield.
"Of course it is not disappointing to play but I come every day with a positive attitude to training.
"I work hard to put pressure on the regular players and myself so that I can reach my high standards.
"Some time ago I did not know exactly what he wanted from me on the pitch.
"But the coach has explained to me again now and I understood that.
"Over the past few weeks, I've been showing the coach what he wanted to see, so I hope he's happy with what I've done in training."
Baker joined Chelsea as a nine-year-old but is still waiting on his first-ever appearance for the club after fifteen years.
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The midfielder had hoped to kickstart his Premier League career under Frank Lampard following spells at both Reading and Leeds.
He even earned minutes for the Blues during Chelsea's pre-season fixture against Bohemians before he agreed to spent the season with Fortuna.
Baker is joined by Ethan Ampadu on the list of Chelsea players on loan in the Bundesliga with the Welshman attempting to impress at RB Leipzig.