The Bournemouth midfielder plays the type of midfield football fans have been crying out for.
England have recently been calling up some odd and different new faces to the senior side, Gareth Southgate has scraped the barrel due to injury problems, with the trio of Angus Gunn, Dominic Solanke and Lewis Cook the latest recipients of first-time call-ups.
For the Bournemouth star it is a validation of his decision to leave Leeds United and a continuation of an excellent year for the youngster, who captained the England under-20s to World Cup success in the summer.
For England as well, his call-up should be exciting considering the type of player he is. One of the most frustrating aspects of England’s play in recent times has been the consistent sideways passing of the side as they try to play the Dutch, Spanish or Italian way – and fail.
Jordan Henderson is a prime culprit of this negative and frustrating attribute. Cook might just be the antidote in the long-term.
The Yorkshireman is a forward passer. He expresses himself best when trying to move the ball forward, probing at opposition defences and hoping to find an opening.
Right now he remains a prospect but with the right management and plenty of time the Bournemouth man might be the midfielder England fans have been crying out for. It’s why Eddie Howe paid so much to bring him south and why Southgate has given him the nod for Brazil tomorrow night.
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