Article by e-Spurs Writer Johnny Murwill (UK)
With the focus mainly on the various transfer rumours surrounding Spurs, and the apparent struggle with Aston Villa to sign Christian Benteke, the future of Jermain Defoe is being bandied around by some as a matter of irritating insignificance. While talk of Adebayor’s possible departure is understandable given his abject performances last season, there is a growing feeling among fans that Spurs have outgrown Defoe – a notion which should be cautioned against.
Photograph:
theFA.com
There is no doubting that Spurs have reached a level in which a player such as Defoe looks out of place leading the line – as was evident last season. Despite an early flurry of goals and AVB’s somewhat ridiculous statement that Defoe was on par with Radamel Falcao, Tottenham’s attempts to sign a new striker portray the club’s unsurprising disillusionment with the current crop of forwards. Despite his early season hauls, Defoe has never been – and never will be – the 20-goal-a-season striker Spurs have desperately needed since Berbatov’s departure in 2008. Equally, the claims made by some pundits that Defoe’s ‘clinical’ finishing ability makes him England’s most natural goalscorer are alien to many Spurs fans. Capable of clinical finishes Defoe may be, but a clinical finisher he certainly is not.
Yet despite the clear deficiencies to Defoe’s game, calls for his sale underestimate the value Defoe can still bring to the club. For a start, the selling of Defoe would surely require the purchase of another striker – in addition to a potential main forward such as Benteke. With the trouble Spurs seem to have in acquiring one striker, it doesn’t bare thinking about how protracted a search for two forwards would be. Surely Spurs haven’t progressed so far that a striker such as Defoe – a bully of smaller teams and tiring defences – no longer holds any value from the bench? Even if it is in clusters or from the bench, Defoe does offer goals.
It appears almost arrogant to claim that Spurs can no longer find use for a striker who has often spoken of his love of the club and crowd, as exemplified in this interview in The Guardian. Of course, few fans would suggest keeping a player on sentiment alone – and it’s hard to imagine Daniel Levy generously offering a new contract based on his admiration for Defoe’s thoughts about the club. If he had no use to the club, it is likely that Levy would be about as sympathetic to him as a pound is to stray dogs. Yet Defoe has dismissed exit rumours, and it seems unlikely that AVB would want to have to replace the one striker who performed for at least part of last season.
Spurs’ need of a deadly striker to spearhead their attack is glaringly obvious. But it would be remiss to forget the value Defoe holds, in particular from the bench against tired legs. His goal against Manchester City is a reminder of this. The fact that he only needs 6 more to break into the club’s top 5 all time goalscorers suggests he should be treated with respect, and that his value remains – however diminished it may be.
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Well said that man, Every year it fills me with anger that supposed fans want rid of Defoe "he can't cut it anymore", "Defoe should be 3rd choice at best" come on guys here is a man who clearly loves our club and never lets us down when it comes to goals, his work rate is good always closing down opposition defenders giving them no time on the ball. Defoe should be allowed to see out his days at our great club. COYS
ReplyDeletedefoe and his advisors realized that there have been rambling from the fans that we really need to get rid of an over paid backup striker and they realize that spurs is the best defoe can to and it the only place to continue building a legacy.. hence that beautifully times guardian interview. no sentiments here.. what he gives we can get from a young cheaper option.. SELL
ReplyDeleteAgree, Defoe is not appreciated enough, he's a little pocket rocket and our record points score last season was mostly down to Bale, but also JD in the 1st half of the season, shame an injury slowed him down. Defoe is worth more to us than adebore.
ReplyDeleteAgree also. Defoe has the potential to make a difference from the bench. Being honest I don't expect him to start the season in the starting eleven, but there is no way a goal threat like Defoe should be sold. He is inconsistent in the way he seems to either score every week for a month or go 3 months without a goal, but ultimately he does more than enough to be a valuable member of the squad for the coming season.
ReplyDelete