AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe believes that defender Steve Cook could well be a permanent future captain for the Cherries.
The central defender previously held the armband for the away fixture with Arsenal following Simon Francis’ substitution and with vice captain Andrew Surman not involved.
Following his player of the season performance during the last campaign, many of the Dean Court faithful may have called for that selection already, however the pairing of Cook alongside record transfer signing Nathan Ake has thus far proved unsuccessful.
An injury ahead of the Brighton & Hove Albion fixture saw Simon Francis paired with Ake at centre back and that selection was kept for the starting line-up away to Everton.
But long term, Howe has faith in Cook’s ongoing progression.
Howe told the Daily Echo…
‘… I think he is a leader. He has developed that because when I first worked with him, he was quite quiet and you would not have necessarily have said he would turn into a natural leader.
‘But I think he is a good voice for us in the dressing room. He has led by example off the pitch for a long time. He is someone the lads respect and it is good to see him grow into that role – I think it’s a natural progression for him.’
Your Say…
Coobster wrote…
Is Cook right footed and Ake left footed? If so why does Cook find it so difficult playing on his ‘right’ side, yet Ake (and Mings) find it more difficult to play on their ‘wrong’ side – which makes more sense to me. – Join the conversation here.
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