AFC Bournemouth defender Steve Cook will fight hard to keep his place in Eddie Howe’s starting XI this season.
The 26 year old defender played every game of the 2016/17 Premier League season, completing all 3,420 available minutes.
With two goals and some of the best defensive statistics in England’s top tier and across Europe, Cook was a deserved winner of the Micky Cave Player of the season award.
His performances have also been acknowledged by the Cherries, handing him a new and improved four year contract, keeping him at Dean Court until the summer of 2021.
But with AFC Bournemouth breaking their transfer record to sign Nathan Ake from Chelsea for a reported £20million, the left side of the centre half pairing could well be reserved for the Dutch international.
That leaves Cook moving across to the right side of central defence, which has previously been held by Simon Francis.
Tyrone Mings and Baily Cargill also add defensive competition.
Cook told the Daily Echo…
‘…Under the manager, we have improved our league position every year and, if I want to keep playing in this team, I need to improve as well.
“I feel I have the capability to do that and know I need to. We have an abundance of good defenders so competition for places is healthy and that is what you want.
“There are five of us fighting for two places so we will push each other and that will only improve every individual.
“I am more than happy to fight for my place and won`t give up my shirt up easily because I want to play every game again.”
Your Say…
Sam AFCB wrote…
Song for Cookie
Saw this on facebook:
We’ve come a long long way together
Through the hard times and the good
I have to celebrate you Cookie
I have to praise you like I should.
To Fat boy slim praise you. – Join the conversation here.
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