Chelsea recall Lewis Baker from Sheffield Wednesday loan

In a loan season filled with more downs than ups, Chelsea have apparently stopped trifling with teams who don't play our kids, especially the ones who have the most promise.  We learned not too long ago that a non-playing penalty clause had been inserted in at least one contract (and presumably many others), but sometimes more drastic action is required.

Chelsea have recalled Lewis Baker from his loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday, presumably a reaction to them dropping him this past Saturday.

— Chelsea Youth (@chelseayouth) February 10, 2015

Baker started the season as part of the Chelsea first-team squad, but having made no appearances in the first half of the season, he was sent on loan to Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday at the start of January.  He made four appearances (two starts) for the Owls, but was substituted at half-time against Reading (a 2-0 loss; fellow Chelsea loanee Nathaniel Chalobah scoring the second) and then dropped completely for their last match on Saturday.  With him not even making the bench, there's been a deeper breakdown here presumably than just a single missed match, and Chelsea have acted quickly.

So what's next for Baker?  Perhaps he'll stick around the first-team once again, joining fellow youngsters Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Andreas Christensen, Izzy Brown, and Nathan Aké.  There could be further "emergency" loan opportunities at other clubs in lower divisions as well, and match fitness opportunities with the Chelsea U21 side.

Regardless of what's next, Baker remains one of the most promising players in the system and Chelsea will no doubt do their utmost best to ensure he develops properly.