Redfearn - Cook is an outstanding talent
Vital Football 31/8/14
Leeds United caretaker coach Neil Redfearn was not surprised by the impressive first start for the club by youngster Lewis Cook describing him as an outstanding talent.
Redfearn has been working with the 17-year-old in the academy at Elland Road in the past five years and he says it was not a gamble to throw Cook into the side.
Speaking at his press conference after the game, Redfearn said, "I thought he was the best player on the pitch. I thought he was outstanding.
"He is old beyond his years with how he thinks. Nothing fazes him."
Cook impressed during pre-season for Leeds, coming into the season on the back of helping the England under-18 side win the European championships during the summer. His first start against Bolton came on the back of four substitute appearances and his form has won him a call-up for the England under-19 squad for their games next week.
Redfearn admitted he told Leeds owner Massimo Cellino early in the summer that Cook would be able to handle the pressure of playing at Elland Road.
"I told the president at the beginning of the season when he asked me about the young players. I told him Lewis Cook, he asked about his age, and I told him, 'He would not be fazed playing in front of Elland Road`.
"It was not a gamble to put him in. I have known him for five-years and he is and outstanding talent," continued Redfearn.
Cook was one of three changes in midfield for Leeds alongside fellow youngster and academy product Alex Mowatt, who was given his first start of the season, and new signing Casper Sloth came in for his first appearance since signing for the club earlier this week.
Tommaso Bianchi made up the midfield quartet with the Leeds midfield having an average age of just under 21.
Leeds United caretaker coach Neil Redfearn was not surprised by the impressive first start for the club by youngster Lewis Cook describing him as an outstanding talent.
Redfearn has been working with the 17-year-old in the academy at Elland Road in the past five years and he says it was not a gamble to throw Cook into the side.
Speaking at his press conference after the game, Redfearn said, "I thought he was the best player on the pitch. I thought he was outstanding.
"He is old beyond his years with how he thinks. Nothing fazes him."
Cook impressed during pre-season for Leeds, coming into the season on the back of helping the England under-18 side win the European championships during the summer. His first start against Bolton came on the back of four substitute appearances and his form has won him a call-up for the England under-19 squad for their games next week.
Redfearn admitted he told Leeds owner Massimo Cellino early in the summer that Cook would be able to handle the pressure of playing at Elland Road.
"I told the president at the beginning of the season when he asked me about the young players. I told him Lewis Cook, he asked about his age, and I told him, 'He would not be fazed playing in front of Elland Road`.
"It was not a gamble to put him in. I have known him for five-years and he is and outstanding talent," continued Redfearn.
Cook was one of three changes in midfield for Leeds alongside fellow youngster and academy product Alex Mowatt, who was given his first start of the season, and new signing Casper Sloth came in for his first appearance since signing for the club earlier this week.
Tommaso Bianchi made up the midfield quartet with the Leeds midfield having an average age of just under 21.
