Bournemouth midfielder Lewis Cook has joked that he can begin “watching Match of the Day again” following the Cherries’ promotion to the Premier League.
Having previously played in England’s top-flight for four seasons after he joined Bournemouth from Leeds in summer 2016, Cook is delighted that the Cherries are back in the top-flight after a two-season absence following a late victory over Nottingham Forest yesterday evening (3 May).
Reflecting on what being back in the Premier League means to him in an interview with afcb.co.uk, Cook said: “I’m just so glad to be back there with the lights, the stadiums; it’s everything. The Premier League is every boy’s dream.”
The 25 year-old proceeded to joke that the best thing about promotion is enjoying late Saturday evenings in front of BBC One watching Match of the Day, as he added: “I can start watching Match of the Day again and just enjoy it!”
Cook though admitted that both the promotion-clinching match against Forest and season as a whole was “hard” as he praised his teammates and coaching staff for their “fantastic” work after missing out on promotion via the Championship Play-Offs last season.
Nerves however were on Cook’s mind heading into the match as he explained: “I was a little bit nervous before the game, and I tried to sleep during the day. I was trying to sleep with my eyes open; I couldn’t do anything!
“But we were great today and we did everything we had to do, I’m just delighted for everyone.”
Promotion also caps off a season in which Cook returned to action after suffering a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury in March 2021.
Cook therefore felt reflective of his progress as manager, Scott Parker issued a pre-match speech and concluded: “I could never have imagined being where I am now, so thank you to all of the staff and the physios especially.
“It’s been a tough time, but I’m delighted where I’m at now.”