Jack Cork is the latest player to pay tribute to Southampton’s England star Adam Lallana, as they continue to impress in the Premier League.
Former England U19 captain Cork has known Lallana since 2008, when he first spent time on loan at St. Mary’s from his first club Chelsea and saw him in action on the training pitch.
And Cork says he knew then that Lallana was a special talent, who Southampton have done well to nurture into the captain and influential player he is now.
Cork in action against Fulham last weekend
"I think Adam has got unbelievable qualities and is such a good player,” said Cork, ahead of Southampton’s game with Stoke City on Saturday.
"I see it every day in training - some of the stuff I see you have to take a second look at and take a step back and say 'what just happened?' because he is so good.
"He was running past people in training [in 2008] and I was saying 'it is crazy how good he is'.
"The qualities he has is just amazing. He can create something out of nothing all the time.
"There is no reason why Adam couldn't fit into any of the top sides in Europe or world football because he is that good."
Southampton boss Mauricio Pochettino claimed last week that the 25-year-old would be a regular choice in the Spain and Brazil squads, after another eye-catching goal and performance in their win at Fulham.
Lallana featured for England in November's games with Chile and Germany
And fellow midfielder Cork, 24, believes his St. Mary's team-mate should be a real contender for Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad as he offers something different to many of his squad rivals.
"I think he offers something different to what other English players have,” added Cork, who was capped by England himself at all levels from U16s to Under-21s.
"We have a lot of wingers that are quite direct and quite pacy and I think Adam is a bit more clever. He can see the ball, manipulate his feet quicker than some other players.
"I think just having that cleverness in the England team is just something different we could maybe work with."
