The Bournemouth talent has recently come to the fore at Dean Court.
Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook in action with Valencia’s Alvaro Medran
Leeds United look set to lose another top talent this summer with Charlie Taylor set to depart. Of course, fans at Elland Road are used to such disappointment.
Last summer it was midfielder Lewis Cook who made a move away from Leeds, joining Premier League side AFC Bournemouth in a deal reported by The Guardian to be worth an initial £7 million – potentially rising to £10 million.
Leeds fans were devastated at the exit of the top talent, but it has been a struggle for the player at the Vitality Stadium.
First, he saw Bournemouth snap up Jack Wilshere, to severely dent his chances of regular football. In October, the England youth international suffered a serious ankle injury which ruled him out of action until January.
However, he has recently been back in the team and put in an excellent performance against Stoke City at the weekend. Speaking to the Bournemouth Echo this week he has insisted that despite his struggles he never doubted his ability to thrive in the Premier League:
Stoke City’s Joe Allen in action with Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook
“It has always been my dream to play in the Premier League, so whatever happens for me I will take it. It has been tough but I have really enjoyed it.
“I never doubted myself.
“You have to be confident in your ability – you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t good enough.
“It was great to be involved in the goals against Stoke. I know we didn’t get the win but we showed an enormous amount of character to come back into the game twice.
“We actually thought we could have nicked the win but we will take our point and regroup.
“You have to be confident and do your best. And enjoy it, because you’re playing in the Premier League and it won’t get much better than that.”
Ahmed Kashi of Charlton Athletic (L) and Lewis Cook of Leeds United in action
In fairness, Leeds fans never doubted that ability either. In hindsight now, after Leeds failed to secure a return to the Premier League this season, Cook will be happy with the move he made last summer.
But seeing him starting to come good at Bournemouth will undoubtedly hurt the Leeds faithful, who will wish it could have been with them.
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