Lewis Cook and Kalvin Phillips played together at Leeds United.
Kalvin Phillips has told LUTV that he remembers thinking why Lewis Cook was ahead of him at Leeds United despite being the younger player.
The 21-year-old is 14 months older than the Bournemouth midfielder, 20, but both successfully came through the academy at Thorp Arch to establish themselves as key first-team players for the Championship club.
Phillips made his Championship debut in April 2015 but Cook was already a prominent member of Neil Redfearn’s side as the England Under-20 ace – who helped the team to World Cup glory in the summer – ended that season with 33 league appearances.
Cook went from strength to strength and impressed during the 2015-16 campaign to earn a £10 million move (reported by The Sun) to the Premier League new boys while Phillips continued to struggle for first-team chances.
But Phillips – who plays a similar role as Cook – has blossomed into a big player since his former team-mate left for the top flight and he admitted to LUTV that he couldn’t quite understand how a younger player was better regarded than him.
“There was a kid younger than me and I was thinking how come he’s younger than me and he’s playing in the same team,” he said.
“But as you look at him now, Cooky, he’s doing exceptionally well at Bournemouth.”
Phillips’s claim that Cook is doing “exceptionally well” is rather debateable, by virtue of the fact that he has made only seven Premier League appearances in 14 months.
The youngster, who struggled last season due to an ankle injury and Jack Wilshere’s presence, impressed in the 0-0 draw with Leicester City prior to the most recent international break in what is his only top-flight game this season.
But he is a long way from establishing himself as a proven Premier League player, though he certainly has the talent.
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