Bournemouth’s Jermain Defoe concerned about England chances – could West Brom forward Jay Rodriguez take his place?
Jermain Defoe of AFC Bournemouth during the Premier League match against Chelsea.
Defoe has started seven matches in all competitions for the Cherries since his summer switch from Sunderland, but played 90 minutes just once – against Birmingham City in the Carabao Cup.
Harry Kane of England (L) celebrates as he scores their first goal during the FIFA 2018 World Cup Group F Qualifier against Slovenia.
The 35-year-old has also scored just one goal following his arrival at the Vitality Stadium and is concerned that Harry Kane, Marcus Rashford, Daniel Sturridge and Jamie Vardy are all ahead of him in the pecking order.
Defoe may have a point, with Kane and Rashford surely a shoo-in for Gareth Southgate’s 23-man squad in Russia, while Vardy’s six Premier League goals in ten games has seen the 30-year-old get the new season off to a flyer.
Sturridge is less of a certainty having been used infrequently by manager Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool this term, scoring two times in his 11 outings – mostly from the bench.
Jay Rodriguez of West Bromwich Albion celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the Premier League match against Manchester City.
Therefore, could Jay Rodriguez genuinely play his way back into contention for the Three Lions ahead of both the Reds striker and Defoe; four years on from his one and only senior international cap to date?
Rodriguez scored his second league goal and third in total for West Bromwich Albion during the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City and with the ability to play on both wings, as a number nine, or number ten, offers flexibility in attack that others do not.
There is still some way to go until Southgate makes his decision, but the Baggies forward may well be able to get himself a seat on the plane.
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