Burnley Fan View: Jack Cork makes England debut, which Claret is next?

Jack Cork became the 27th Burnley player to represent England when he replaced Jake Livermore on Friday evening. After a barren spell he became the third in three years.

I am not a big fan of the national team, decades of disappointment and frankly players who look like they don’t actually care or give their all for their team. I don’t mind if we lose but so many of our recent international players feel like they have already achieved everything by the time they are 21 and paid a six figure some per week. Anyway, rant over.

However, when a Burnley player gets his chance I am filled with pride. Cork is the latest of three to get a chance and given he was with the club on loan a number of years ago, it does feel fitting that he makes hes debut after returning to Burnley.

There could be a few more in the offing however, and with Burnley in fine form perhaps a few could make the World Cup squad. that would be an amazing end to what has begun as a wonderful season for Burnley and all associated with the club.

Ben Mee is one in contention in my opinion. He has been consistently in form for a couple of seasons and rarely lets the team down. Despite his height (5ft 11) he wins pretty much every header he goes up for and we all know his desire and passion is unquestioned. I think Ben Mee is a prorotypical English centre back. His strengths are basic but vital. tackling, marking, heading, positioning and bravery are surely the most important attributes for a defender, even if nowadays ball playing seems to be rated higher. Pair Ben with a ball player and you have a security blanket.

James Tarkowski is another who might be due a call up. He has been getting rave reviews of late thanks to his no nonesense style. He has excellent timing with his tackles and is committed to the cause. Tarky is 6ft 5, and despite this he is very competent with the ball at his feet. He can also pick out a deep pass just like Michael Keane was famed for. Tarkowski is certainly the more modern of the two centre backs and I think of the two he might be favoured.

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Nick Pope is rated the best goalkeeper in Europe by any number of stats. Despite never playing a Premier League game until he made his mid-game debut against Crystal Palace early in the season, he has shown an unbelievable ability to keep the ball out of the net, Burnley have only conceded 5 league goals under his stewardship, three against rampaging Man City. I understand completely why he hasn’t been selected given his inexperience at the top level but if he can keep it up then theres no reason why he shouldn’t be considered in the next few months.

Regardless, I just want to say a big well done to Jack Cork. He has worked very hard throughout his career and I hope he remains a Claret for a long time.