Many great England strikers have graced English football. Alan Shearer, Andy Cole, Michael Owen, Teddy Sheringham, Jimmy Greaves and Geoff Hurst just to name a few. Scoring a vast number of goals in the best league in the world will have people saying our name for many years. Greaves and Hurst are prime examples of this. One striker in this generation that has always guaranteed goals at any level is Jermain Defoe.
The England international has set the Premier League alight in the past 10 years. After being spotted at Charlton Athletic by West Ham United, Defoe was shortly shipped out on loan to play for AFC Bournemouth. In 29 appearances for the Cherries, Defoe scored a respectable 18 goals. While at Dean Court, he was also breaking records, scoring in 10 consecutive games, the first player to do so since John Aldridge’s post-war record.
On his return to the Hammers in the 2001-2002 season, Defoe finished as West Ham’s top scorer under Glenn Roeder despite being used mainly as a substitute. The next two years saw the downfall of Defoe at Upton Park. In the 2003-2004 season Defoe’s disciplinary record showed his frustration at the club, being sent off three times up until January. A refusal to sign a new contract resulted in him moving to bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.
His time at the north London club is where everyone saw what Defoe is capable of. His first spell at White Hart Lane saw him score 43 goals in 139 games, before Harry Redknapp was eager to take him on board at Portsmouth, and soon, the English striker followed suit and joined the famous revolution at Fratton Park. In 30 games, Defoe mustered 14 goals, but then followed Redknapp at Spurs for his second spell with the club. This proved to be more successful than his first scoring 47 goals in 135 appearances in the famous white shirt, including netting five in the 9-1 rout against Wigan Athletic.
Now at MLS side Toronto FC, where he has bagged 11 goals in 19 games, the prolific forward is eager for another shot in the big time. There is no doubt there will be plenty of clubs after his signature, so what club would be best for him in the Premier League?
Would a return to Tottenham Hotspur be the right move or will Mauricio Pochettino look somewhere else? Spurs current crop of forwards Emmanuel Adebayor, Roberto Soldado and Harry Kane are struggling in front of goal, and for a side that is aiming for the top four, is disappointing to see that none of their forward line can score.
Aston Villa is another possible destination where Defoe could restart his Premier League career. The Villains goalscoring rate has been appalling this season. Currently sitting in 10th place, Paul Lambert’s side have only mustered four goals in seven league games, the join lowest along with bottom club Burnley.
Finally, newly promoted sides Leicester City and QPR are also in desperate need of firepower in order for them to stay in the division. However, the most likely destination for Defoe will be QPR, considering he has strong connections with Redknapp. The Foxes have made a decent start on their return to the top flight, but lack the experience that is needed in this demanding league.
Overall, Defoe knows exactly what he wants which is to play at the highest level he possibly can. The MLS fails to fulfil his expectations, and just shows that hasn’t gone across the pond just for the pay package. His goal record says it all, and it’s no wonder why several Premier League teams still rate him as one of the most clinical finishers in the game.
