BAKER BID AS HE PENS DEAL
LEWIS Baker is hoping to further improve on his instant impact at Stoke City - and help win promotion to the Premier League - after committing to a new long-term contract.
The 27-year-old midfielder scored eight times in 21 appearances after joining from Chelsea and has been rewarded with a new three-year deal running until 2025, adding an extra 12 months to the one he signed in January.
He has embraced responsibility as a senior figure, stepping in as captain when needed - and perhaps in pole position to take that role permanently if out-of-contract Joe Allen, with whom he struck up an effective partnership, is tempted away.
And all importantly, he has delivered on the pitch, ending up as second top scorer behind Jacob Brown, trusted with set pieces and finally providing the club with a confident penalty taker.
“I think that half-a-season might be the most goals I’ve scored in a little while,” he said. “I’m really happy with that return but it’s nothing to sit on.
“I’ve got to try to better that and improve as a player all round.
“I work as hard as I can each and every day to try to get better and count those small percentages. When I did arrive here I was ready to perform so hopefully I can improve on that this coming season and see how we get on.”
He added when asked about his personal ambition: “Promotion. That’s the number one thing we want to do as a club. For me personally I want to get better each and every day. I can’t wait to get back in and get to work.”
Baker had spent his senior career on a chain of nine loan moves across England as well as Holland and Turkey before taking the chance to join Stoke for good.
Michael O’neill had tried to sign him last summer and the player took a financial hit to make it happen half-a-season later.
He said: “It’s a bit of a strange summer because I haven’t got to be relocating again. I’ve found a home and I’m looking forward to the season.
“I’m really happy. It’s been fantastic since I’ve stepped foot in here. Everyone has been very welcoming and it’s a place where I can see a future - and hopefully that future is with everyone in the Premier League.
“Since the first day I’ve come in I’ve felt at home. Everyone’s vision of where they see the club aligns with mine, the project of where we want to get to and the type of team we want to be is very appealing.”
It is the first confirmed deal of an important summer for O’neill, who is looking for the extra quality to his squad sustain a top six challenge.
Baker said: “All the lads have been fantastic. It’s a very good dressing room and with a few additions hopefully we can have an even better one. I speak to everyone, staff, players, people behind the scenes and everyone’s been great. I’m very thankful to them for giving me the opportunity to do that and believing in me.”
O’neill has reiterated that the way Baker has bought into life at Stoke gave him the platform to play at his best and set the template for new signings.
He said: “Lewis settled in so quickly with us and that was reflected in the consistency of his performances. He became a very important player for us in a short space of time and I’m delighted he has reaffirmed his commitment to the club by signing a new contract.”