Kirchhoff praised Sunderland’s marksman but says everybody needs to do their share for the team.
Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirchhoff has hailed the goal-scoring exploits of Jermain Defoe but has emphasised the importance of teamwork and for the whole side to do their bit, the Chronicle reports.
Defoe continued his good goal-scoring form in the 2-1 win over Leicester City last weekend which saw the 34-year-old score his 250th goal in English club football and his eighth of the season so far.
Kirchhoff is quoted in the Chronicle, saying: “Unbelievable, it is amazing how secure he is in front of goal and how many goals he has scored.
“We hope that he continues his performances and quality in front of goal.
“But football is a team game. There are few players in the world who are able to decide a game on their own.
“Even for them, to put the ability of each player together and get the best out of each individual player, that is what you have to do.”
Kirchhoff had a hand in the opening goal at the weekend, which deflected in off Leicester’s Robert Huth to give them the lead. The majority of the side’s goals do still come from Defoe, although Victor Anichebe has relieved the burden a little in recent games.
It is perhaps of little surprise that another goal-scoring threat in the side has seen an upturn in the Black Cats’ form, as they have won three of their last four games.
But defensively they have seen improvements as they are becoming harder to break down, and they seem to have reduced the number of errors they were making earlier on in the season.
It seems the entire side is taking a step in the right direction, and Kirchhoff wants everybody to be on top of their game.
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