ST GEORGE’S DAY FOR ENGLAND
CLUB RIVALRIES ARE SET ASIDE AS PRIDE OF LIONS GET SET TO GO DUTCH
ALL smiles for the Three – or rather seven – Lions as England got together at St George’s Park yesterday ahead of their World Cup warm-up internationals. Joe Hart certainly didn’t appear fazed by being one of FOUR goalkeepers in Gareth Southgate’s squad to face Holland on Friday and Italy next Tuesday as he chatted to Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere (circled), who is back in an England squad for the first time since Euro 2016.
LEWIS COOK has yet to kick a ball for England’s senior side, but already knows he can bring something different to the Three Lions table.
The 21-year-old Bournemouth midfielder earned his first call-up from the start of an international get together last week for the upcoming friendlies against Holland and Italy.
And he has already achieved something no other member of Gareth Southgate’s squad has, having skippered his country (top) to glory in last year’s Under-20 World Cup in Venezuela.
That triumph made him the first England captain since Bobby Moore in 1966 to lift a world trophy.
Cook also won the U-17 Euros in 2014, alongside another member of Southgate’s squad, defender Joe Gomez. While keepers Jack Butland (2010 U-17 Euros) and Jordan Pickford (2016 Toulon Tournament) are the only others in the group to have won silverware with England. Cook said: “I learnt a lot about tournament football, and maybe I can give my feedback on that and try to help the team.
“Last summer put me in good stead for this year and I just need to keep growing and learning.”
Despite his self belief, the former Leeds starlet is not one to get ahead of himself. “Lewis is very levelheaded and controlled,” said Cherries boss Eddie Howe (left). “He doesn’t get carried away by anything.
“He is focused on his football, which is one of the best assets to have.” Cook, a £7million signing 18 months ago who was first drafted into the squad for November’s friendly with Brazil, is trying not to think about a World Cup call-up this summer. He added: “If that happens, it happens, but I am just focusing on this camp now and giving my all.”