Callum Wilson and Lewis Cook boast all the tools in the right set-up to force their way into Gareth Southgate’s England plans, according to Eddie Howe.
Wilson found the net and also teed up Joshua King with an inch-perfect cross as Bournemouth swept past 10-man Watford 4-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday for their biggest-ever Premier League away win.
Norway forward King bagged a brace, with David Brooks also on target, as Bournemouth preyed on Christian Kabasele’s red card for two bookable offences.
Striker Wilson and midfielder Cook were overlooked by Southgate for England’s latest senior squad – but Howe believes both Bournemouth as a collective and his two England hopefuls embody the kind of brand so craved by the national team boss.
Asked if simply a string of consistent Premier League performances is Wilson’s and Cook’s route into the England picture, Howe replied: “What else can they do? It’s the only thing they can do, consistently perform well for their team in respect of their positions and the rest will take care of itself.
“I don’t see a problem with anything in their game, with their age, our style of play – it should all be suited to the England set-up so they just have to concentrate on the basics and keep performing well.
“I’ve had conversations previously (with Southgate) but I wouldn’t say it’d be a regular conversation. We will talk and discuss things.”
Bournemouth’s aggressive pressing and swift, accurate passing proved a hugely pleasing feature of Saturday’s fluent thumping of Watford.
Despite the eye-catching display and the hefty scoreline, though, the always-grounded Howe continues to refuse to bask in any reflected glory.
Last season Howe revealed he had banned himself from watching Match of the Day, preferring to keep his own counsel when it comes to critiquing his team.
And now not even a club-record Premier League away win will force Howe to change his mind.
Asked if he would consider lifting his personal Match of the Day embargo, Howe replied: “I do remember saying that (last season). I think I’m still banned, let’s be consistent so I won’t be watching it.
“It’s basically because, I don’t need anybody else to tell me about my teams and those opinions I think can sometimes be negative so I just watch the game myself in a quiet room and make my own decisions.”
