Calls are growing for England manager Thomas Tuchel to broaden his horizons and consider a “sensational player” for the national team, a player who, despite consistent high-level performances, has been repeatedly overlooked since his single England cap back in 2018.
Lewis Cook: Is the Bournemouth Midfielder Finally Due an England Call-Up?
Recent England squad announcements by Tuchel for crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Albania and Latvia sparked debate, as several in-form Premier League players were surprisingly omitted from the 26-man selection.
Many pundits and fans alike anticipated a call-up for the talented young midfielder Adam Wharton. This expectation intensified after reports emerged that Tuchel himself had contacted Wharton with a text message prior to Crystal Palace’s Premier League fixture against Ipswich Town. However, Wharton ultimately did not make the squad.
Similarly, Elliot Anderson, who has been delivering standout performances for Nottingham Forest throughout the current season, also found himself excluded from Tuchel’s plans. His teammate Morgan Gibbs-White initially suffered the same fate, although Gibbs-White received a late call-up as a replacement for Cole Palmer.
Another player whose consistent displays have caught the eye is Bournemouth’s Lewis Cook. Instrumental in Andoni Iraola’s impressive Bournemouth side, Cook was notably absent from the England squad. Instead, Tuchel opted for midfielders such as Jordan Henderson, Curtis Jones, and Morgan Rodgers.
Lewis Cook’s solitary England senior appearance dates back to March 2018, when he earned a cap as a substitute against Italy. Interestingly, this brief cameo proved incredibly lucrative for his grandfather, who won £17,000 thanks to a £500 bet placed four years prior – backing his grandson to represent the Three Lions before his 26th birthday.
This appearance also marked a historical moment for Bournemouth, with Cook becoming their first active player to represent England at the senior level.
However, despite consistently impressing for his club and earning high praise from Bournemouth manager Iraola, Cook has not featured for England in the seven years since.
Experts Question Thomas Tuchel’s England Squad Selection – Is Cook Being Overlooked?
The ongoing discussion surrounding Lewis Cook’s international future dominated airwaves on talkSPORT radio this past weekend. Charlie Daniels, Cook’s former teammate at Bournemouth, weighed in on his chances under the current England setup led by Thomas Tuchel.
“What on earth does Lewis Cook need to do to get another England call-up?” questioned talkSPORT co-host Barry Glendenning. “In my opinion, he’s a sensational player, yet he continually gets overlooked.”
Daniels, having played alongside Cook at Vitality Stadium for four seasons, strongly echoed this sentiment. “Yes, he’s an incredibly consistent performer,” Daniels stated. “I completely agree. At the very least, he should be part of the conversation, if not already in the squad.”
“He’s truly excelled, and considering Bournemouth’s strong performances as a team, you’d expect him to, at minimum, be considered for upcoming England squads and future plans.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is a big fan of Cook. Image credit: Getty
Daniels further emphasized Cook’s consistency and experience, stating, “He’s reached an age and experience level where he consistently delivers week after week, season after season. There’s absolutely no justification for him to be continuously overlooked.”
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola himself was recently questioned regarding whether Tuchel should consider offering the midfielder an opportunity with the national team.
“I’m a huge admirer of Lewis Cook. In my opinion, he is an exceptionally talented player. We are very fortunate to have him in our squad. This situation reminds me of the questions surrounding Dom Solanke during his initial season here,” Iraola shared with BBC Sport.
“From our perspective, Lewis is outstanding, but I’m not privy to the England manager’s plans. I’m unaware of his player assessments. All I can confidently say is that I regard Cook as a top-tier player, and I value having him immensely.”
Iraola concluded, “Thomas Tuchel is likely analyzing a vast pool of English talent, perhaps as many as 100 players. We would naturally be thrilled for Lewis if an England call-up materializes because every manager wants the best for their players and national recognition is a great achievement.”
What are your thoughts? Should Lewis Cook be given a chance to represent England based on his current form for Bournemouth? Share your opinions in the comments below!