#PLStories- Lewis Cook assesses his Premier League season with AFC Bournemouth #AFCB

Cook is one of Cherries’ longest-serving players, having joined the club from Leeds United in the summer of 2016. Two serious knee injuries have restricted the availability of the one-time England international during his time in Dorset. In his seven years at Cherries, Cook has racked up 180 appearances, scoring two goals and last summer signed a contract extension which runs until 2025. The 26-year-old played a key role in the first half of last season, starting 16 Premier League games in succession, before injury saw him forced off during defeat at Brentford in January. Cook would be unavailable for the next five league games, with Joe Rothwell excelling in his place. When fit again, Cook would still find game-time hard to come by, with Rothwell, Philip Billing and Jefferson Lerma featuring more regularly in midfield. The York-born talent ended the campaign having made 31 appearances in league and cup. Asked for his reflections on the season, Cook told the Daily Echo: “I had a spell out, but it’s not as long as I’ve had in the past. “Playing 30-something games, in the best league in the world, I can’t complain at all. “I’ve really enjoyed it and am just looking forward to next year.” Discussing his lack of game-time from March onwards, Cook added: “The lads have been playing unbelievable. “We can’t complain with having this many points four games before the end of the season. “It’s part of football. Whoever has got the shirt is going to try and keep it. “It’s my job to try and keep training, keep working hard and keep enjoying my football to try and get back in. “But it’s part of football and we’re definitely all in this together. “I think the lads played a big part in the season, whether it be the start, the middle, or the end. We’re a big team and we’re together, definitely.” Cook will be hoping for another new lease of life under new boss Andoni Iraola, when he joins the rest of his teammates for pre-season testing on Saturday, July 1. Cherries will then train in England, before heading off to Marbella for a warm weather training camp. During that spell, they will face friendlies against Scottish outfit Hibernian (July 13) and Israeli giants Maccabi Tel Aviv (July 16). Cherries will then return home, welcoming Atalanta (July 29) and FC Lorient (August 5) to Vitality Stadium before the Premier League campaign gets underway at home against West Ham United seven days later.