The Tottenham Hotspur player has scored more goals off the bench than any forward ever in the Premier League, how does he rate ability-wise against his peers?
In the race for third, Arsenal fans would dearly love to have a second choice striker as good as Jermain Defoe.
For Tottenham it is a luxury that they can call Defoe, at present, their third choice forward, behind Emmanuel Adebayor and on-loan Louis Saha.
It has been the same nearly all season for Defoe, and much of the last, but despite his limited opportunities, he is continuing to make his point to manager Harry Redknapp, a man who could also decide his Euro 2012 hopes.
To describe Defoe as a ‘reserve’ may seem harsh, but he is clearly not a first choice starter, and when he does start his appearances have been mainly in either the Europa League or FA Cup, with him bagging a brace against Stevenage last night.
But to answer our question, is Defoe the best back-up striker in the Premier League, we should consider the alternatives.
There will be somebody at Manchester City with a point to make, but the issue there is that Roberto Mancini rotates his trio of Edin Dzeko, Mario Balotelli and Sergio Aguero so often that none of them can be described as a back-up in the same way as Defoe. In the same way Carlos Tevez has not even been on the bench to be described as a back-up.
A better challenger for the ‘honour’ would be a former team-mate of his, Dimitar Berbatov.
Berbatov was last season’s joint Premier League top scorer with 20 goals but this season he has barely featured, but has still scored six Premier League goals.
In fact Berbatov statistically has the best goals per minute ratio of any striker in the Premier League this season, but he has played so infrequently it is quite a skewed comparison.
Another shout is Craig Bellamy, who has played a key role for Liverpool at times this season, helping knock former club Manchester City out of the Carling Cup.
Bellamy is certainly not seen as first choice at Anfield, but like Defoe is reliable and proven quality, and a constant worry for defenders.
Chelsea starlet Romelu Lukaku is a hot prospect, but has never scored a Premier League goal, so cannot be compared to Defoe.
Over at Arsenal, supporters have given up on Marouane Chamakh, and Tottenham’s strength in depth in the attacking department could prove vital in their quest to finish above their rivals.
Defoe has been terrorising defences for years now, whether from a starting spot or from the bench. He may well end up searching for a move this summer, but right now he should carry on doing what he is doing.
He may not be starting at Spurs right now, but his value to the team is unquestionable.
Berbatov can blow hot and cold, while Bellamy has never had as good a goal ratio as Defoe, we think the Tottenham man might just be the most reliable back-up striker in the league.
Let us know what you think? Would you rather have Bellamy or Berbatov on your team’s bench? Will Defoe help Spurs finish above Arsenal?
image: © OliverN5
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
