Club legend questions Leeds resources, gives verdict on play-off chances after Cook exit

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Published on:

11 Jul 2016, 8:45 am

By Tom Blackburn

Bournemouth club legend Paul Morrell says the purchase of Lewis Cook from Leeds is a great bit of business for his former club.

But he has claimed that the deal, which could be worth £10million to the Yorkshire giants, has put a massive dent in their play-off hopes.

In an interview with the Bournemouth Daily Echo, Morrell said he was surprised Leeds sold their protege and questioned whether they have the resources to get out the Championship.

“Leeds has always been a big club and it has only been in recent years that they have dropped down, mainly due to the finances. They don't seem to have the resources to get out of the Championship," Morrell told the Echo.

“Eddie knows what players he wants to fit the system he plays. He will never change that system no matter what and last season was a great example of that.

“If when they were losing, they would still play out from the back and try to build up play by passing the ball. Those are his ethics and the players he has recruited seem to fit with that.

“Lewis was clearly a player Leeds thought very highly of and they didn't want to lose him. Everyone expects him to go to the very top and it is encouraging that these players want to come to Bournemouth.

“We are the smallest club in the Premier League and it is a credit to Eddie that they choose us. There is clearly something about the way he deals with these players and his approach to football that entices them."

The midfielder jetted back from the Yorkshire giants summer training camp in Ireland to complete his medical with the transfer believed to have been confirmed in time for him to join Bournemouth on their pre-season trip to the United States.

Cook, 19, was named the Football League Young Player of the Year for the 2015-16 season after beating off competition from fellow nominees Fulham striker Mousa Dembele and Walsall left-back Rico Henry to land the coveted gong.

Cook followed in the footsteps of the 2015 winner Dele Alli, who has gone onto receive international honours and wide acclaim in his first season at Tottenham. Gareth Bale (2007) and Fabian Delph (2009) are also internationally recognised previous winners of the award.

In other Leeds news, a deal that was set to be finalised today has hit a stumbling block.

Bournemouth

Leeds United

Lewis Cook