Defoe looks sharp, fit, and as hungry as ever. He has always stated that his attention towards keeping is body and mind in tip top condition is key to his success and longevity. Famously teetotal, the diminutive front-man is obsessed with the game of football, and in particular, the art of scoring goals; something that he has crafted to perfection. He has a devastating turn of pace over short distances, a poacher-like instinct in front of goal and is equally as comfortable striking the ball powerfully with either foot. He can score goals from outside of the box too. His movement is second to none and he possesses an uncanny, natural ability to stick the ball in the back of the net, something that I believe cannot be coached but only refined. At West Ham he was called an 'Ian Wright clone' and it's not hard to see why. Wright was an early hero and Defoe looked up to him during those early days as a young pro. Jermain has emphatically lived up to that tag since taking those early strides into the football world at Upton Park.
In recent months, I have been championing Jermain's case for England recognition. With a record of 19 goals in 55 games for the national side, (incredibly, the last of which was in 2013), and an international hat-trick to his name, Defoe's pedigree on the biggest stage is for me, not in question. At the time of writing, a total of 26 of Defoe's 150 Premier League goals have came for Sunderland since moving back across the pond from Toronto FC in what was and will always be, one of the greatest swap deals in the history of the modern game (Jozy Altidore moving the other way). Jermain missed the cut for the 2014 World Cup, Roy Hodgson citing a move to the MLS as the overriding factor in his choice to overlook a player who is arguably the most natural finisher we have in England at this moment in time. Defoe regrettably accepted Hodgson's decision to go with Rickie Lambert instead. (No, me neither). After a season that ended with Defoe smashing 18 goals as Sunderland spectacularly avoided relegation (again) the England coach once again overlooked JD for Euro 2016, despite there being a national interest for the ace marksman to be introduced back into the England reckoning. Hodgson didn't even choose Defoe for a tournament warm up friendly at The Stadium of Light with Australia. Roy told the media that the pool of players he was working with were the ones "who were on our radar for two years", a statement that smacked of lunacy if you ask me. This is the same Roy Hodgson who included an 18 year old Marcus Rashford in his final Euro 2016 squad over a man who has perfected the art of scoring goals for the best part of two decades. Rashford's time will come, he has a similar natural talent and appetite for goals as Defoe, but for me, leaving such an experienced in-form pro out of the squad for the Euros was a big mistake. I can think of no-one better than to nick you a goal from the bench in such a high octane, pressurized situation. Not many players could have scored the amount of goals Defoe has for Sunderland, in what was and still is a poor side. Hodgson took plenty of players to France who were unfit, out of form and who should have been a million miles away from that squad, but hey, that's another story.
Jermain Defoe told Football Focus and Goals On Sunday recently that he has a list pinned on his wall at home containing the names of the Premier League's all time top scorers. He states it is something that gives him greater motivation and represents another personal goal for him to reach in his already remarkable career. Currently sitting joint seventh with Michael Owen on that list, Defoe is thirteen behind the brilliant Robbie Fowler who lies on 163, with Thierry Henry in 5th on 175. Quite the company eh? Without doubt, Fowler's total will be Jermain's next target and I for one won't bet against him reaching it. The man still has the desire, the hunger and the ability to get there. In his own words, Defoe still "buzzes" for training and gets itchy feet on his days off with no football to play. Paolo Di Canio trained six days a week when at West Ham, something that still resonates with Defoe today. He lives for football, always has, even celebrating scoring goals in training. That 'kid in the playground' mentality is how he has played throughout his career, but he has worked tirelessly for years to remain at the top of his game, playing and scoring at the highest level.
Of course, every club at all levels of the game loves a goalscorer. The guy who pulls on the number 9 shirt and goes out every Saturday to try his damnedest to stick that ball in the old onion bag. Not many do it better than Defoe. He is synonymous with West Ham and in particular Spurs, but I can assure you we love him just the same up here. He is a hero at Sunderland, that volley against Newcastle helping cement the adoration for a player I wish we could have signed ten years ago. In recent times we've had Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn and Darren Bent, each one lauded by the Sunderland public for their goal-scoring exploits, and Jermain Defoe has now joined that club of ace goal-getters. I think the man himself has bought into that too. So, I felt that I had to pay tribute to such a fantastic achievement. To hit 150 top flight goals is no mean feat. Few players have achieved it and not too many will do so in the future. He already has a lasting legacy, but there will be more to come from Jermain Defoe. Of that I have no doubt. For me, he will be fondly remembered as a bona fide Premier League great.
1999-00, West Ham, 74 apps, 18 goals
2004-08, Spurs, 139 Apps, 43 goals
2008-09, Portsmouth, 31 Apps, 15 goals
2009-14, Spurs, 137 Apps, 48 goals
2015-Present, Sunderland, 63 Apps, 26 goals
Premier League, 444 Apps, 150 goals.
