Jermain Defoe’s January move to Portsmouth has revitalized the talented English striker and arguably Portsmouth’s season.
One would say he was almost frozen out at Tottenham Hotspur, not only by Juande Ramos, but by Martin Jol before him. He was therefore left knowing it was time to move on and wherever he ended up, he had to make an impression.
His long spell on the sidelines had cost him any chance of cementing an England place and as time went on, even a place in the squad. The summer signing of another striker, Darren Bent, would also have come as a huge blow to 25 year old Defoe.
As things turned out however, the 16 million pound Bent sat unused just like Defoe on the White Hart Lane bench. When January finally arrived, there was talk of a move to Aston Villa, Newcastle United or even Manchester City, but the want away striker opted for Fratton Park.
He bagged 43 goals in 139 Spurs appearances during his five year spell with the Londoners.
Defoe has responded brilliantly since his move to the south coast with Portsmouth and has silenced his critics by hitting a rich vain of form.
Portsmouth coach Harry Redknapp has been full of praise for his recent signing.
“He's always scored goals. If you look at him, his record over the years has always been incredible," Redknapp told Sky Sports.
"I said when I signed him here that if he plays regularly he'll be 20 goals guaranteed."
An incredible eight goals in just seven games has made everyone sit up and take notice. His stats for the season are just as impressive with 16 goals in ten starts with 16 sub appearances in the Barclay’s Premier League.
All this however, was not good enough for Fabio Capello, who left him out of his final 23 against France.
I just don’t understand that logic, after all England didn’t score in France.
Defoe went on to respond in the best possible fashion by bagging both goals in Portsmouth’s recent 2-0 win at home to Wigan Athletic.
With fellow England striker Michael Owen also returning to form it will continue to be a struggle for Defoe to get an England opportunity. Thanks to Capello, he has missed another golden opportunity to make an impact at international level.
With 26 Caps already to his name, I’m sure Defoe hasn’t given up on adding to his tally of three England goals however.
In my opinion, Jermaine Defoe has proven his credentials and now deserves that England opportunity!
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3 months ago
While Defoe is clearly a very good goal-scorer at Premier League level, I don't think he is international class, and I think his record backs that up.
3 goals in 26 caps is not good enough for a player whose only contribution to the game is goalscoring. If Defoe is not scoring goals, then what does he give you? Peter Crouch for example has 14 goals in 26 caps, as well as upsetting opposition defenders with his mere presence. Wayne Rooney has 14 goals in 42 caps, not a stunning record, but he gives you so much more in general play with his ability to pick up space and drop off and take up wide positions and his vision.
Defoe is very similar to Michael Owen, play him every game, and he scores goals, but contributes little else in general play.
The difference between Owen and Defoe is that Owen scores when it matters most, Cup finals, big games, against the best teams (Argentina, Brazil, France, Germany, Owen has goals against the lot). Owen is a big game player, Defoe has never had that killer psychological make up. If Owen is fit, he gets picked ahead of Defoe every time for me, thats what 40 goals in 89 caps has earned. It is unlucky for Defoe, but thats international football, you have to take the few chances you get, and Defoe has not taken the plethora of chances he has had.
Defoe probably deserves a place in the squad on current form, but I can't see him ever being a regular starter for England, and nor do I think he is good enough to score regularly in International football, certainly not when it matters most.
from 3 months ago
I can't argue with your points Simon but writing off a player at 25 is a bit unfair. The vast majority of his caps have come off the bench and he hasn't had an opportunity since his younger days.
He is England's in form striker and I feel he should have gotten a chance against France. As I said in my article an in form Owen is always going to be first choice, especially when other players don't get a chance when he is out of form to prove themsleves.
from 3 months ago
I agree Andrew that it is not 'fair' to be writing off the international career of players who are only 25, but thats the nature of the beast. International football changes even more than club football, because there is so long between matches.
A player can literally come from nowhere and suddenly be key man in the line up. Rooney made his international debut at just 17, did anyone forsee that just even 6 months earlier? Likewise Micah Richards came from nowhere to be first choice RB for a spell with Neville injured.
Its just what happens in International football, you have to take your chances when they come, as you won't get many. That is, unless you are a player of supreme quality, like a Barnes or a Hoddle, or a Gascoigne, players who never showed their best form for England on a consistent basis, but who got repeated chances because they were just too damn talented to leave out.
Not many players fall into that category.
3 months ago
Good piece Andrew but i must agree with Simon above. Defoe will never and should never be a regular starter for England. While he surpasses Owen, Crouch and possibly Rooney on current form, as Simon pointed out, international football is different from domestic football. Once you get your chance, you hardly get another one. Defoe has sadly missed his chance. With new, young talent coming up like, Walcott, Agbonlahor etc, i don't think he'll get another look in. Sad but true.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the comment Salomon. I'll be happy as long as some of the new young players get a chance.
from 3 months ago
haha by the way, must congratulate you on your 100th article. You're a pillar in our bleacher-report community.
from 3 months ago
Thanks alot mate. I'm sure there will be a hundred more.
3 months ago
Great article, really cannot believe that Capello doesn't use him. Still though this squad has so many more problems than their striker and manager.
from 3 months ago
Thanks Dildeep. Glad you enjoyed it.
3 months ago
I was sad to see Defoe transferred to Portsmouth being a Spurs fan but I'm really happy that he has found some form.
England do need to give him some games. At 25 he's got a good future ahead of him and in any case....it wouldn't hurt England to try him out for a few games... It's not like they will be doing anything this summer...
from 3 months ago
haha fair point Shawn and I agree with you.
3 months ago
Hey Andrew, I disagree the move didn't revitalise his carreer it just gave him a platform. I have been a huge fan of Defoe since I saw him at West ham as a youth with talent. I was so unhappy when Portsmouth bought him I was hoping Liverpool would make a bid. As for England he should be a first choice, he can make something out of nothing, and his instincts are world class.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the comment Justin but I must argue his career hasn't been going anywhere for the last 2 years.
3 months ago
I agree that Defoe should have definitely been in the 23 man squad for the France game, he has the talent and is bang in form. However, Capello is obviously working hard to get England playing with his system with just one main striker (even though he abandoned this for the second half against France).
Clearly Defoe would not be able to perform the role of a lone-striker, mainly due to his height, or rather lack of. Therefore if Capello knew that he was going to play this way then there wasn’t much point in including Defoe as he simply cannot play this role. Or if he can, certainly not effectively against top opposition. His hold up play is fairly poor, and he could do well to learn from Owen about how to be effective in the air even if you are well under 6”. I can’t really remember Defoe ever scoring a header whereas Owen has worked on this and gets them fairly regularly despite his lack of size.
Seeing as Capello switched to a more conventional 4-4-2 in the second half you could argue that he might have included Defoe in his thoughts for this, but I don’t think this was particularly planned, more just a reaction to the poor performance in the first half.
No doubt Capello will try different formations in the friendlies against USA, Trindad and Tobago and the Czech Republic at the start of next season and if Defoe keeps up his good form then he will merit being at least included in the squad. But I agree totally with Simon, Defoe has no real international pedigree (albeit from only seven starts), but even at club level he’s never really done it at the top level and while Owen is around he will never be first choice and the two certainly can’t play together.
from 3 months ago
I was certainly shocked he didn't make the 23 and it's not like he can do much more in ther Premier League.
Thanks for the insight Matt. You make a lot of sense but I still feel he deserves another start even if it is against Trinidad and Tobago.
3 months ago
Defoe might not have a star status but he's no underdog..my word he's been underrated since he was at West Ham..it's time for Capello to have a serious look at his options rather than stare down the legs of Crouch or he'll be gone way before he even settles in..That's what the FA is like..
from 3 months ago
Yeah I was a bit disappointed by Capello in the latest game. I presume he knows what he was doing though.
3 months ago
I am shocked and appalled at the comments being leveled at Jermain Defoe. If he turns out to be the top goalscorer next year, and isn't picked, we would be clamouring for Cappello's head!!!
I was absolutely gutted and furious that he, with Darren Bent were not picked to go to the world cup by Sven, when it was Bent as top goalscorer, and Defoe as second after him.
Would someone kindly explain to me the logic used by Sven in taking one injured striker (rooney), one ineffectual striker (Crouch) and one complete crock (Owen) over the two consistent strikers?
I'll admit, they haven't had the chances this year to prove their potential - they will next year, and to rule them out completely, and especially Jermain Defoe, as some people have done, is nothing short of ridiculous.
I am not saying younger players shoudn't get a look in if they are playing well. But the England squad is all about picking the best team to play together, and playing in-form players is an absolute must with it.
If Defoe and Bent pull out all the stops in the next few years, and score tons of goals, will you all write them off then?
from 3 months ago
And looky here - I didn't mention my fury at Walcott being picked over Defoe and Bent for the world cup either!
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the passion of an Englishman Simon.
from 3 months ago
Don't mention it Andrew! ;)
Thanks for a great read, as always.
3 months ago
100th article and a scotsman writes about the English game? Andy Gray/Alan Hansen in disguise?
from 3 months ago
Haha I just treated it like any other day. If it had been the UEFA Cup that would have been my 100th article. If you want Scottish undertones then I'm sure a lot of my articles would be of interest :)
3 months ago
I can't help but disagree with some of the comments above - are many failing to realize that Defoe's chances at White Hart Lane were AlWAYS limited? He's in great form, certainly, but the fact of the matter is that the only thing different from now and a few months ago is that he has the confidence he hasn't been allowed in YEARS.
At Portsmouth, he's provided the outlet that he's needed - he's the star of the show, he's getting service, and he's beloved by the fans. Not to say that Spurs fans didn't love him, but he's out for the full 90 minutes every game he's available and has the fans singing his name. Why wasn't he performing particularly well at International level? Because he had no confidence. The man has been consistently overlooked and the appearances he has made were primarily substitute appearances.
I have absolutely no idea why Capello left him out of the squad v. France - he had watched Defoe play (and score!) just the week before. I'm hoping that it was simply his intention to use a lone striker for most of the match that brought him to look at other players instead.
I agree that England are going to have to sort out some of the other problems they have, but I can tell you this - you're going to see more goals from Defoe before the end of the season, and I guarantee you will see him towards the top of the goalscoring charts next season.
from 3 months ago
Thanks for the comments Ryan. I couldn't agree more.
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