At just 22-years-old, Lewis Cook has already accomplished a lot during his fledgeling career.
Cook came through the Leeds United academy and was playing for their Under 18’s side at the age of just 15, whilst at Elland Road he also broke into the England youth set-up representing England right through from Under 16’s to the Under 19’s.
From as early as 2015, AFC Bournemouth had been attempting to sign the central midfielder, but it wasn’t until July 2016 when AFC Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe finally got his man, or boy as it could be argued being just 19.
The fee was officially undisclosed but was reported to be around £6million rising to a possible £10million with various add-ons.
Lewis Cook became one of only a few new signings to immediately break into an Eddie Howe XI, starting the opening game of the Premier League campaign against Manchester United.
However, injury severely hampered his first season on the south coast and Cook had to wait eight months before he made another Premier League appearance.
He, however, ended the season becoming a household name across England as he became the first man since Bobby Moore in 1966 to captain England in the final of a World Cup and then went on to lift the trophy.
Cook was an integral part of the England Under 20’s World Cup success.
That success from the summer of 2017 Cook took into his AFC Bournemouth form and by March 2018 he had broken into the full England set-up winning his first international cap.
He was on standby for the World Cup squad in Russia, but would eventually miss out. Instead, he captained England Under 21’s to success in the Toulon Tournament and signed a new long-term contract at Dean Court until the summer of 2022.
The 2018/19 campaign, however, was a low point for Cook as the first form saw him drop out of the AFC Bournemouth squad and then injury sidelined him for nine months.
He recently returned from that knee injury and was very impressive against Everton, earning the man of the match award.
Understandably Howe is taking it slowly with Lewis Cook’s recovery and his second Premier League game of the season came in the absence of Jefferson Lerma against Norwich City.
AFC Bournemouth fans are watching on intently as he is a terrace favourite, but according to the media, they are not the only ones.
According to the Daily Mail both UEFA Champions League holders and current Premier League leaders, Liverpool and Chelsea would like to sign the AFC Bournemouth midfielder.
They have reported…
“Sportsmail understands that both Liverpool and Chelsea have identified the former Leeds star as a target, should he prove his form and fitness this season.”
They go on to add…
“Both Liverpool and Chelsea are said to be in the market for the best of emerging English talent and Cook’s high energy style in the middle of the park is thought to be the attraction.”
The report does not go as far as naming a potential price for the midfielder.
Your say…
wallmth wrote…
One bright light against Norwich City I would say was Lewis Cook, he seems to be getting involved all over the pitch. – Join the conversation, click here.
