Newcastle United are just 11/2 to sign Bournemouth centre-back Steve Cook this summer – despite reports linking them with Stoke City’s Ryan Shawcross.
The fact that Bournemouth have conceded 63 Premier League goals this season, the third worst record in the top flight, does not reflect too well on Steve Cook.
Yet, Ladbrokes has Newcastle United as 11/2 second favourites to sign the 25-year-old centre-back before the end of the transfer window despite those stats raising questions about whether Cook is the man to shore up Newcastle’s backline.
What is clear, however, is that a centre-half is at the top of manager Rafael Benitez’s wishlist with The Chronicle suggesting he could be handed as much as £100 million to spend in the summer. After all, captain Jamaal Lascelles has endured an inconsistent 2017, Chancel Mbemba is out of favour and Ciaran Clark was relegated in humiliating fashion with Aston Villa just a year ago.
Cook’s recipe for success
And it appears that Cook could fit the bill, with The Independent claiming that Benitez wants a defender with Premier League experience. The newspaper adds that Stoke City skipper Ryan Shawcross is also on the club’s radar after nine largely impressive years in the top flight.
However, although Cook’s reputation falls some way short of the one-time England international, he may be a better fit for Benitez’s plans.
While Shawcross is a rugged, typical Tony Pulis centre-half, Cook is a far more cultured operator. Under progressive coach Eddie Howe, his passing ability has been encouraged and honed on the South Coast. Though that’s not to say he can’t mix it when required.
Some of his finest performances this season have come with his back pressed against the wall, where his positional sense has come to the fore.
The Daily Mail reported recently that West Brom are interested in the £7 million-rated former Brighton man. Yet, the vastly underrated Cook could prove to be one of the most inspired Newcastle signings of recent years.
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