Adam Lallana has heaped praise on Sunderland star, Jermain Defoe, saying the veteran striker is a great role model.
England’s Jermain Defoe during training
Liverpool midfielder, Adam Lallana, has ushered heaps of praise on his England teammate, Jermain Defoe, in comments appearing in the Evening Standard, saying the Sunderland striker is a great role model.
Defoe marked his international return after three and a half years with a goal against Lithuania on Sunday. England won 2-0 and took another step towards qualifying for the finals.
The Sunderland striker has been enjoying a superb 2016-17 campaign, scoring 14 times for the Black Cats. His impressive scoring record forced Gareth Southgate to recall him to the England squad, and Defoe duly responded by scoring his 20th goal for his country.
Defoe will turn 35 when the World Cup kicks off in Russia, but Lallana believes the former Tottenham striker can still be an integral part of the England squad.
Lallana added that Defoe has been playing some of the best football of his career, and that to be sharing the same international stage with him is a surreal feeling.
“He is determined to not just be here for this squad and be in the squad for the World Cup — and why not when he comes and contributes like he did.” said Lallana, as quoted by the Evening Standard.
“He thoroughly deserves to be playing on an international stage and at this level and he proved what he is about, what he can bring and what an option he is for Russia.”
Lallana added: “To be playing with him for England is quite surreal. It is the Jermain Defoe of old. You bet your bottom dollar he is going to score and he did.”
“He is a great role model. He has been absolutely brilliant this week, he sets a great example for a lot of us players.”
Defoe became the sixth oldest player to score for his country at 34 years and 170 days. He was mainly picked because other major options for Southgate – Harry Kane, Daniel Sturridge and Wayne Rooney – are all currently injured.
It will be interesting to see how Southgate shapes up his squad ahead of the World Cup, and whether Defoe plays any part in it.
England’s Jermain Defoe celebrates scoring their first goal
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