Lewis Baker has praised Saints ahead of Vitesse’s second leg Europa League tie and admitted they are taking the next logical step – to become an established top six Premier League team.

Baker is on loan at Vitesse as part of their tie-up with Chelsea.

He will spend a season in Arnhem and is expected to be part of tonight’s fixture, which Saints head in to with a 3-0 advantage.

He said: “They are a very good club, top six in the Premier League.

“They have a lot of good youth players as well so it’s a good club I think.

“It’s the next level from a top six Premier League team I don’t think we did our self any unjustice.

“The goals we conceded they happen sometimes and all we can do is our best and try and get three or four goals.

“It’s a good tie.

“You saw last game Southampton were a very strong team and we had chances to score and unfortunately they didn’t go in at the time. We will try our best and that’s all we can do.”

Baker has played with the likes of Saints academy products Harrison Reed, Matt Targett and James Ward-Prowse at England youth level, but feels a loan from Chelsea to Vitesse is the right move for his career.

“It’s a good stepping stone. They have a relationship with Vitesse,” reckoned Baker.

“I’ve come here to try and improve.

“I think it’s a great experience for me playing in League One, the Championship and now trying abroad.

“So far it’s been good and all the players and staff have made me welcome and I think it will be a good development stage for me.

“They play football the way I like to play football and I think that’s good.

“I am living by myself in a town that’s close but a lot of the English boys maybe don’t want to try coming out abroad for some reason.

“The first loan I did go to I maybe didn’t want to go abroad but seeing different cultures and different ways of playing I would advise it to younger players.”

Speaking of tonight’s game he added: “Southampton finished the chances they had (in the first leg) and hopefully we can do the same.

“Nobody has any doubt we can get something from the game and hopefully the fans can give the same support and we can get something from the game.”