3 LIONS 2 WORLD CUPS 1 DREAM
U20 star Cook targets Moore glory
LEWIS COOK created English football history to put him alongside Bobby Moore – and admits it is a “great achievement” just to be mentioned in the same breath.
The Bournemouth midfielder became the first Englishman to lift a World Cup since Moore in 1966 when he captained the Under-20s to glory in the summer.
He has been rewarded with a call-up to the senior squad and believes winning breeds winners throughout the age groups.
“It is a hard one to deal with,” said Cook, 20, of the Moore connection. “That took a while to sink in as well.
“I got back from the World Cup and when I returned to the training ground, that is when it sank in and everyone congratulated me.
“It’s obviously a great achievement to be named in the same sentence as someone like him. It’s another really good achievement I’m proud of.
“It’s been a whirlwind few days. I got back from the Under-21s, captaining them and really enjoying that, to then come with the seniors.
“It’s a really great achievement for me and my family. I’m really excited to be here.”
Cook admits that just being around the squad, let alone getting some playing time against Brazil, is a big experience for him.
But he also believes the knowhow acquired from playing tournament football and the confidence boost from beating big nations at junior level should give young players belief for the future.
He added: “There might be similarities so it could increase the knowledge of how they play and give you a slight advantage. No easy games in international football but it probably makes things a little easier.
“I think it’s just trying to be the best we can be on the ball and trying to create something we all can do throughout the age groups.
“We can see that happening with how well we have been doing.
“I’ll take anything. Coming here is a great achievement – just being around the lads is really great for me. Even if I’m on the bench I’ll just take it all in.
“I think every international game you play is a great learning curve. We play teams with different styles of play and it boosts your knowledge about the game itself. Hopefully we can take that into future games.”