Could the Tottenham Hotspur striker be on his way out, with a view to improving his chances of a Euro 2012 place ?
When England began their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign, Jermain Defoe was staking a claim for the number one strikers’ spot, scoring a hattrick at home to Bulgaria.
Almost 18 months on, he faces a struggle to make this summer’s squad, largely because he cannot buy a start at the moment in a Tottenham Hotspur shirt.
Spurs’ arrival in the Champions League last season and the acquisition of Rafael van der Vaart saw manager Harry Redknapp adopt a new 4-4-1-1 formation, with Defoe this season especially finding himself the odd one out.
In big games last season Crouch was preferred in the lone role to Defoe, and this year on-loan Adebayor.
Defoe has looked sharp when he has appeared this year, netting six Premier League goals, but the last of these came at home to Bolton on December 3. He has also been forced to turn out for what were effectively Tottenham’s reserves in the Europa League.
Speaking in mid-December after scoring against Shamrock Rovers, he said: ‘All I want to do is play football. I am doing well, my record is good and I have never, ever felt so sharp. I have been in the team, scored goals, and then been taken out of the team. For whatever reason, I don’t know’.
So will he be off ? Probably.
If he does not start at home to West Brom tomorrow (3/1) or against Everton, he will almost certainly decide to ask for a move, whether it be on loan or permanent.
Cash-rich QPR would be lead contenders for his signature, the fact Heidar Helguson is their top scorer says a lot about their strikeforce, and they have already added Federico Macheda from Manchester United on-loan.
Defoe would be ideal, and a cross-London move might suit Defoe especially if a loan can be agreed.
Liverpool could also put in a bid. With Luis Suarez facing a suspension and Andy Carroll out of form, a striker is needed, and Defoe would be cheaper than Darren Bent, who has also been linked, but Tottenham would not loan him to a rival and a permanent deal would have to be agreed.
A figure of £15 million could seal the deal, far better value than the £20 million plus Liverpool would need to pay to secure the services of Bent.
As things stand, Defoe is unlikely to make the cut for Euro 2012 and faces spending the rest of the season on the Spurs subs bench, so the time is right to spin the wheel of fortune and take a chance on a move for the sake of his career.
– Do you think Defoe should leave? Would you like him at your club?
image: © p_a_h
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