Nelson would love to bring old Tottenham teammate Defoe to Toronto
Toronto manager Ryan Nelson has admitted that would be love to bring England international and Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe to his Major League Soccer outfit, Sky Sports has reported.
Former Premier League player Nelson, who represented Blackburn Rovers, Tottenham and QPR in his time in England, has just finished his first season in charge of the Canadian club, but has his sights set on next season already.
Nelson played with Defoe in his time at Spurs, and his name is being linked with a move to Nelson's side. The 31-year-old has made just one start in the league this season, but has already notched eight goals in cup competitions.
The former New Zealand international is a big admirer of the forward, and when posed the question about a possible move for Defoe replied: “That's not a serious question, is it? Jermain Defoe in this league? Look what [Marco] Di Vaio has done! My goodness - incredible player.
“One of the most natural goalscorers I have ever come across. Always out training, always trying to score, a great guy. To get a guy like Defoe for the MLS, I cannot think of many that are more suited. I think if you ask most Premier League teams, they would take Defoe.”
The two still keep in contact from their Spurs days, Nelson said: “It would be incredible. I call him and text him all the time. Him playing in Toronto would be phenomenal. If you look around the world and try and think of a realistic player - and I am not sure how realistic he is - that complements a league like ours, never gets injured, doesn't drink, can play high, low, scores all sorts of goals - do you know something I don't? Can you go over and sell it to him?”
One problem that could impact any potential deal is next year's World Cup which comes during the Canadian season and Defoe remains part of the England set-up. However, the 36-year-old dismissed any problems this could bring: “We want them in as soon as possible.
“If we have to pick [from] A and B, and A is coming in January and B is coming in August, it's January. [Toronto would take] a good Designated Player [DP] that's going to score x amount of goals over a great DP who will come in August.
“Look, the team wants to get to the play-offs. Look, if we have World Cup stars, just missing for a few weeks, that would be pretty good!”
Defoe will be hoping to add to his tally of goals in cup competitions this season when Tottenham take on Hull City in a Capital Cup fourth round tie at White Hart Lane on Wednesday.
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