World Cup scouting report: Jermain Defoe

2009/10 Appearances: 21

 2009/10 Goals: 16

 England caps: 38 

England Goals: 11

Defor has finally brought some respectability to his England goals:games ratio

 

Jermain Defoe’s late 2009 form has put him in strong contention for the major tournament place that has so often evaded him due to infrequent games, poor judgment or abundance of competition. To put it very crudely; he has been shitting goals this season. His record-equaling five goal haul against Wigan two weeks ago emphatically stamped his credentials as an important weapon for England in South Africa next summer.

With the loss of form and fitness of Michael Owen, Defoe is England’s only real proven in-form goalscorer. Like Owen, Defoe can do little other than score and his style requires a robust partner who is happy to supply this ammunition for his predatory instincts. This though appears to be his downfall. Nobody can displace Rooney from the England, even the likes of Kaka and Messi would have a job convincing Capello to drop England’s talisman, leaving Heskey as the only obstruction in Defoe’s quest for first team international football. Fabio prefers the physical presence and selflessness of Heskey and he is unlikely to drop him regardless of how many goals the Tottenham hitman can muster.

In Summary, his form this season has already guaranteed him a place on the plane, his next goal is to see if Capello is prepared to change his system to accommodate the diminutive striker.

VERDICT: ON THE PLANE