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Ava Baker
I try to limit highlighting loan players in the WSL2 as there are plenty of players at the clubs who don't always get the spotlight they deserve. But I do have some exceptions. Ava Baker is one of the youngest players to have ever scored a top flight WSL goal and has been developing since leaving Leicester in 2024 at last season's WSL2 champions, Birmingham City, with her also having a 6 month loan spell at a resurgent Ipswich Town. I think it's pretty fair to say that because she doesn't play for one of the biggest clubs, that she maybe doesn't have the same amount of hype (outside of Birmingham and Ipswich fans) that some other players in her age group have.
The Birmingham City loanee has returned to the Tractor Girls after a very bright loan move in January. Baker still got fairly limited minutes last season as she played just over 400 league minutes for the second season in a row. It's not really a surprise this past season as she had a resurgent Veatrikki Sarri & former PSG starlet Océane Hurtré This season it seems that she has a clearer path to a starting spot as I'd imagine new signings, Megan Hornby (signed from relegated Portsmouth) will take over the starting Rw slot from Brighton's new winger in Sophie Peskett, and Tegan McGowan (also signed from Birmingham but her contract ran down) will compete with Baker for the starting Lw role under David Wright.
Baker has got a real air of confidence and a direct approach to her game. She always looks to stay wide when the ball is on her side in order to facilitate 1v1's against her fullback. Her pace makes her a threat on and off the ball as she can be a target for balls in behind to get her in the final. I think she's a bit inconsistent in tighter spaces but this is still something that she can improve on with more chances to get into those scenarios. This is also influenced by her turning circle being some she can improve on as it can sometimes look a little stiff when she turns 180 degrees.
As a traditional winger that holds the width which can allow her fullback behind her to stay inside like when she would come on for Birmingham, her carrying is at a really good level as she often looks to take lots of small touches to keep the ball close to her and allowing her the time to choose to go down the line or cut inside. She keeps a very upright posture when she carries the ball which is really noticeable when she first receives the ball. This can then play into her change of speed when she often looks to push the ball ahead of her to really take her fullback on in a battle of pace.
One aspect of her game that really stands out is her defensive work rate. It's not just that she's a willing presser from the front, but she tracks back very well and will put her foot in when she's deeper on the pitch. Her being a willing defender and a hard worker will only continue to endear her to her coaches and the fans.
Her weaker left foot is actually better than I remember since I've gone over her match footage again. It's not at the level of comfort where she can comfortably carry on her left, but her passing and in particular her ball striking on her left foot is at a pretty decent level that still has plenty of room to grow with increased game time. This is still a big help for her since she has shared minutes across both wing slots and her only goal from last season came on her left foot after a nice flick to get past her defender.
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| The ball is played into space near the box w/Baker having her back to goal. |
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| She then gets the ball with her body parallel to the goal. |
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| She then drops her shoulder and pushes the ball on the outside of her right foot past the defender. |
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| She's created the space to push into the box. |
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Baker then has enough time and space to place the ball low into the far corner in her left.
On the whole, Baker is a really exciting prospect that has a good chance to make a name for herself in the WSL2 this coming season. There are aspects of her game that will get smoothed out with reps such as some refinement to her first touch. But I have very high hopes that she will continue to develop with Ipswich. Her goal against Sunderland was very good, and I can also recommend her performance against Charlton (for Ipswich) where she was one of the best players on the pitch in the first half.
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