Cook: We are ready for top level
England face Venezuela in U20 World Cup final Captain says team want Premier League chance
England Under-20s have their sights on an even greater prize than World Cup glory tomorrow. For captain Lewis Cook, international success must be the platform for an emerging generation to earn the trust of Premier League managers.
Cook, who joined Bournemouth from Leeds United for £6 million last season, says the short-term euphoria that would accompany victory in the Fifa tournament must facilitate the longer-term ambition of Paul Simpson’s squad.
“I think if you are in a team that reaches the final of any World Cup, it shows our clubs and managers that we have the capabilities and ability to perform and that they can trust us,” said Cook, who cited winning the Euro 2014 Under-17 Championship as propelling his progress.
“For my career, that was very important. It got me in the eye of the first team and I went on my first pre-season tour with Leeds after that. That was the first time I had been away with the first team. What we did with England got me in the eye of the manager and got me a chance.”
Most of Simpson’s side are on the fringe of their senior team at top Premier League clubs such as Chelsea, Everton, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool, while others have already spent time on loan in the Championship.
It is essential for the country that these players become regulars at those clubs if they are to form the basis of a senior side at major tournaments in the years ahead.
“There is definitely the talent out there,” said Cook. “We have got a lot of different age groups in England who are doing well, getting to finals, there are a lot of talented young lads and young adults and we just need to carry on improving now and creating good players.
“We have played a lot of games in this tournament. We have overcome a lot of different challenges to reach this point and hopefully this will help us all with our clubs. It proves that we are good enough.”
For now, Cook is dreaming of becoming the first England international captain since Bobby Moore to lift a Fifa World Cup. “Even for us as a group of players, Bobby Moore and what England did in 1966 means everything,” he said. “If we can do it as well, it would be an amazing feeling. As captain, it will be one of the best days of my life.
“There was a massive celebration on the pitch and in the changing room [after the semi-final] and it was hard to get to sleep straight away. Everyone was buzzing. But we tried to settle down, recover right and get focused.
“We wanted to be the second England team to be in a World Cup final and everyone was just so proud of each other. We have worked really hard to get to this point.”
The players can expect video messages from England icons past and present ahead of the meeting with Venezuela – Wayne Rooney among those sending best wishes.
“We have to play the game and not the occasion, we have to try to enjoy playing in a World Cup final,” said Cook.
And what about the prospect of lifting that trophy? “I have tried not to think about it, to be honest, and focus on the game, but it has been in my mind. It would be an unbelievable experience,” he said.
England v Venzuela. Tomorrow, 11am BST. TV: British Eurosport 2