England manager Thomas Tuchel has been told to look beyond the usual suspects and call-up a “sensational player” who keeps on being overlooked after getting his one and cap in 2018.
Earlier this month, a number of in-form Premier League players missed out as Tuchel named his first 26-man squad ahead of World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia.
Many predicted a call-up for Adam Wharton after Tuchel sent a text message to the midfielder ahead of Crystal Palace’s Premier League clash against Ipswich Town, but he missed out.
Elliot Anderson, who has been superb for Nottingham Forest this season, was also overlooked alongside teammate Morgan Gibbs-White, although the latter was eventually called up to replace Cole Palmer.
And after playing an integral part in Andoni Iraola’s overachieving Bournemouth side of late, Lewis Cook was not picked to feature alongside the likes of Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones and Morgan Rodgers.
Cook made his debut for the England senior squad in March 2018, when he came on against Italy – a moment that made his grandfather £17,000, just four years after he placed a £500 bet on his grandson winning a Three Lions cap before turning 26.
As a result, he became Bournemouth’s first serving player to make a senior England appearance.
But seven years on, the midfielder Iraola rates so highly has failed to play for his country since.
The discussion around Cook’s future at international level was rife on radio station talkSPORT this weekend, as former Bournemouth teammate Charlie Daniels pitched in on his chances under Tuchel.
“What on earth does Lewis Cook have to do to get another England call-up?” asked co-host Barry Glendenning. “I think he’s a sensational player, but he just keeps getting overlooked.”
Daniels, who played alongside Cook for four years at the Vitality Stadium, replied: “Yeah, he’s such a consistent player. I agree with you. I think he should be at least in a conversation, if not in that squad.
“He’s excelled, and with the club doing so well, you think that he’s at least got to be in a conversation of being involved in hopefully the next squads and then moving forward.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is a big fan of Cook. Image credit: Getty
Daniels added: “He’s at an age now where he’s done it week in, week out, season after season. So there’s no reason why he shouldn’t be.”
Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola was recently asked whether Tuchel should give the midfielder a chance at national level.
“I love Lewis Cook. I think he’s a very, very good player. I’m very lucky to have him in our squad but is the same way you asked me when Dom Solanke was here first season,” he told BBC Sport.
“For us, he’s very good but I don’t know the plans of the new manager. I don’t know what he thinks the only thing I can say that for me Cook is a top player and I feel very lucky to have him.”
Iraola added: “Thomas Tuchel is probably analysing not 25 but maybe 100 English players. We will be happy if it happens for him personally because you always want the best for your players.”
Thoughts on whether Cook should receive a call-up based on his performances for Bournemouth this season? Let us know in the comments.
