Garry Monk is confident that he will turn young midfielder Lewis Cook into a better player for both Leeds United and England.
The new Leeds boss blocked the 19-year-old midfielder’s inclusion in the England squad for this summer’s Under-19 European Championship as he wants Cook to be part of his full pre-season preparations.
Cook was in pristine form for Leeds last season and also helped the England Under-19s to qualify for the European Championship, but Monk is confident that the midfielder realises why he needs to be at Elland Road this summer.
Monk admits that his decision was always going to be a little hard for the midfielder to fathom, but he is ready to turn Cook into a better player for both club and country.
On Cook’s reaction, the Leeds boss told LUTV: “It is not an easy thing to accept, but he was great with it.
relatedNewsStory
“He understood the reason, and I think he agrees with my decision and understands that he needs to be here.
“England is a big thing for him, and I think I can develop him further and make him an even better player for England and Leeds United.”
Cook was a constant presence in the Leeds team last season and was voted the Football League Young Player of the Year for his performances.
