England rookie Lewis Cook eager to share tips on WINNING a World Cup with more experienced team-mates
Get football updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing! Could not subscribe, try again later Invalid Email
Lewis Cook has yet to kick a ball for England’s senior side, but already knows he can bring something different to the Three Lions table.
The 21-year-old Bournemouth midfielder earned his first call-up from the start of an international get-together last week for the friendlies against Holland on Friday and Italy four days later.
And he has already achieved something no other member of Gareth Southgate’s squad has having skippered his country to glory in last summer’s Under-20 World Cup in Venezuela.
That triumph made him the first England captain since Bobby Moore in 1966 to lift a world trophy.
(Image: FIFA/Getty)
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now
Cook also won the Under-17 Euros four years ago, alongside another member of Southgate’s current squad, Liverpool defender Joe Gomez.
Goalkeepers Jack Butland (2010 U17 Euros) and Jordan Pickford (2016 Toulon Tournament) are the only others to have won silverware for their country.
Cook said: “Going there and winning that competition was another massive achievement.
“I think I learnt a lot about tournament football and stuff, and maybe I can give my feedback on that and try to help the team.
(Image: FA/REX/Shutterstock)
“I really enjoyed last summer and I think it put me in good stead for this year and I just need to keep growing, keep learning and enjoy it.”
Cook’s belief should not be misinterpreted, though, as the former Leeds starlet is not the type to get ahead of himself.
“Lewis is very level-headed and controlled,” Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe said. “He doesn’t get carried away by anything. He is focused on his football, which is one of the best assets to have.”
To underline that Cook, who was first drafted into the squad for November’s friendly against Brazil, insisted he is not daring to think ahead to what his summer might hold after being called up for Southgate’s final pre-World Cup squad.
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now
He said: “I just have to go there and be myself. If I get the chance to play just do what I do here at Bournemouth, enjoy it, try to implement my style of play and adjust to how they play as well.
“If that happens [a World Cup call up] it happens but I am just focussing on this camp now and giving my all.
“It is the senior squad so there is a lot of talent throughout every area of the pitch so you just have to go there and try your best. The main thing is enjoy the experience and all I want to do is keep learning.”