Jermain Defoe aware he needs to play for Tottenham to make England squads

[sloth]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/...-to-play-for-tottenham-to-make-england-squads

Jermain Defoe is aware that he needs to play regularly at Tottenham Hotspur if he is to keep his World Cup dream alive.

The Spurs striker remains part of the England set-up for now, but has seen the likes of Liverpool's Daniel Sturridge and Southampton's Rickie Lambert edge ahead of him in the international pecking order.
With Manchester United's Wayne Rooney, West Ham United's Andy Carroll and numerous other Premier League frontmen also pushing for places in Roy Hodgson's ranks, the need to impress at club level is obvious.

Defoe acknowledges that he cannot afford to rely on his reputation as a goal-getter to get him recognition, especially with England hoping to be among the contenders for global glory at next summer's World Cup in Brazil.

He told Sky Sports News: "In a World Cup year you have got to play, it's as simple as that.
"To get into any England squad, it's based on merit. So you have got to play, I understand that. I also understand that it's a long season, there are so many games to go and a lot of football to be played. I just have to try and keep myself sharp and fit.

"It has been really frustrating. When you have played in a World Cup and have been involved with the England squad for a number of years, it's just the best thing in the world - representing your country at that level. You want to play."

Defoe, who has made three Premier League appearances off the bench this season, is not the only frontman currently out of favour at White Hart Lane, with Emmanuel Adebayor training away from the senior squad.

On the Togolese frontman, Defoe said: "I don't think it helps the team, to be honest.
"Someone like Mani, he's a great player and has played for some of the top clubs in the world and is someone that we're going to need. We will need his goals and what he brings to the team.
"He's keeping himself fit, he's a happy guy, he loves his football, and hopefully he'll be back soon with the team."

Defoe and Adebayor currently find themselves behind Spanish hit-man Roberto Soldado in Andre Villas-Boas' plans, but an influx of top talent over the summer has been welcomed by those already at White Hart Lane.

Defoe added: "Obviously there have been a lot of changes and there have been many clubs that have brought top players in and it's been difficult for them to get players to settle. It's not easy, but I would say that the lads that have come into the club have been fantastic."

 

[sloth]

Cutting up a bit rough there from Defoe. Not too bad though. But one thing about AVB is he likes to keep everything private so doubt he'll appreciate it from Jermain.

Also, I think Defoe would do better to look at what Soldado brings to the side, his work-rate and the intelligence of his movement. This is stuff he can learn, but instead Defoe always thinks it's about being strong and sharp. You never get the sense that he has insight into his weaknesses and why other player might be preferred over him.

 

[lillywhites61]

Interesting g seeing him bang the drum for Ade there. I can honestly see both players out of spurs within a year. Completely new and fresh players and ideas.

I reckon January will see even more comings and goings

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Cutting up a bit rough there from Defoe. Not too bad though. But one thing about AVB is he likes to keep everything private so doubt he'll appreciate it from Jermain.

Also, I think Defoe would do better to look at what Soldado brings to the side, his work-rate and the intelligence of his movement. This is stuff he can learn, but instead Defoe always thinks it's about being strong and sharp. You never get the sense that he has insight into his weaknesses and why other player might be preferred over him.

This.

Soldados performance on Saturday was how a centre forward is supposed to operate in a 4231. Even when there wasn't a chance at scoring Soldado was still offering himself to the ball and laying off to bring others into play. Defoe only seems interest when he can get the ball in space to shift and shoot.

 

[Mouse!]

Wondered how long it would be before Defoe came out with his "I need to play first team football" guff. It took him all of 4 PL games this year. He'll never accept a role as a squad player. Happy for the team to strengthen but not when it's in his position.

"It's been really frustrating..."

It's been 4 fucking games!

 

[chrissivad]

Wondered how long it would be before Defoe came out with his "I need to play first team football" guff. It took him all of 4 PL games this year. He'll never accept a role as a squad player. Happy for the team to strengthen but not when it's in his position.

"It's been really frustrating..."

It's been 4 fucking games!

What was the question that got this reply?
The rest of that line is about England and wanting to play. Has it been frustrating not getting a chance with England after the recent games?

he did also say this

I also understand that it's a long season, there are so many games to go and a lot of football to be played. I just have to try and keep myself sharp and fit.

 

[Mouse!]

What was the question that got this reply?
The rest of that line is about England and wanting to play. Has it been frustrating not getting a chance with England after the recent games?

he did also say this

Hmm. I'm still suspicious. Too used to Defoe coming out with the same thing every year. Reckon he'll use the England nonsense to try and pressure AVB into giving him more game time, as he's done before.

 

[Blake Griffin]

going against the grain here but i think we'll see an improvement from jermain now we have the likes of eriksen/lamela/holtby/siggy etc playing behind the striker, players who'll slip passes through, rather than getting down the line and whipping crosses in.

 

[Kendall]

What a surprise, yet another player going against the public opinion that Ade is just a ****/mercenary and it happens to be a guy that he's competing with directly for a place in the team.

Didn't believe the ITK about players not liking Ade's attitude in the summer and don't believe it now.

 

[nightgoat]

Whereas the likes of Milner, Smalling, Oxlade-Chamberlain etc will get called up whether they play for their clubs or not.

 

[Kendall]

going against the grain here but i think we'll see an improvement from jermain now we have the likes of eriksen/lamela/holtby/siggy etc playing behind the striker, players who'll slip passes through, rather than getting down the line and whipping crosses in.

I agree 100%. I think the way we have played in recent seasons has hindered any striker. We never properly adapted our whole team to suit 1 up front until now.

 

[lillywhites61]

going against the grain here but i think we'll see an improvement from jermain now we have the likes of eriksen/lamela/holtby/siggy etc playing behind the striker, players who'll slip passes through, rather than getting down the line and whipping crosses in.

Maybe true, but he will have to hold his run in order for that to work

I am grateful for the goals over the years but he can be very limited at times.

 

[eViL]

Moaning already.

Should have thought about that during his career where he's failed to develop his game - he's still the same player we bought from West Ham and unfortunately, the level in the Premier League has moved up more than a couple of notches since he made it.

 

[gregga]

I agree 100%. I think the way we have played in recent seasons has hindered any striker. We never properly adapted our whole team to suit 1 up front until now.

Disagree - Ade with VDV behind, fed by Modric, worked extremely well.

 

[Shadydan]

Moaning already.

Should have thought about that during his career where he's failed to develop his game - he's still the same player we bought from West Ham and unfortunately, the level in the Premier League has moved up more than a couple of notches since he made it.

He's not moaning ffs - it's an interview and he's given a frank and honest assessment of where he needs to be, there's nothing wrong with that.

That's a hell of a way to talk about our record goalscorer and a player who has given 8 years of service to the club btw..

 

[Spunkmonkey]

If England qualify for the World Cup, I can see Jermaine pushing for a move in January.

In the meantime, in the games he is selected in, he will want to give his 100% best, as he will want to impress any potential suitors, the better he plays, the bigger the teams interested in him will be. So it's not too much to get concerned about.

I still feel he has plenty to offer as ain impact sub, but at his age, I don't think that is what Defoe is after, and will obviously want to play matches, and be the main man.

 

[Shanks]

So the quotes from Defoe, people presume these are directed at AVB not allowing him back in the team?

Where as I read them as - Ade is quality and the team need him to be stronger, so are looking forward to him returning.

Nothing about AVB stopping him playing.

Sometimes I worry about people here.

 

[CJMurray]

What a surprise, yet another player going against the public opinion that Ade is just a ****/mercenary and it happens to be a guy that he's competing with directly for a place in the team.

Didn't believe the ITK about players not liking Ade's attitude in the summer and don't believe it now.

Although I tend to agree, you can never read too much into comments to the press. Defoe is hardly going to come out and slam a co-worker in the press is he?

 

[danielneeds]

Cutting up a bit rough there from Defoe. Not too bad though. But one thing about AVB is he likes to keep everything private so doubt he'll appreciate it from Jermain.

Also, I think Defoe would do better to look at what Soldado brings to the side, his work-rate and the intelligence of his movement. This is stuff he can learn, but instead Defoe always thinks it's about being strong and sharp. You never get the sense that he has insight into his weaknesses and why other player might be preferred over him.

100% Agree. It's funny because you always here Jermain talking about all he does is watch videos of great strikers, how he goes and talks to Ian Wright about his game, extra training, etc etc. You can never doubt his enthusiasm and hard work, but it just seems like he has zero self-awareness.

 

[eViL]

He's not moaning ffs - it's an interview and he's given a frank and honest assessment of where he needs to be, there's nothing wrong with that.

That's a hell of a way to talk about our record goalscorer and a player who has given 8 years of service to the club btw..

Are you saying that you disagree with my point that he hasn't developed? Or jumping to the defence of a player that's been around a long time?

He's giving a frank and honest assessment of where he THINKS he needs to be, but the fact remains there needs to be more to his game and he's failed to recognise that his entire career.