http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7748301/Defoe-asked-for-move (http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7748301/Defoe-asked-for-move)
Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe has confirmed that he asked to leave the club in January.
The England striker has found it hard to break into the Spurs starting line-up this term with Harry Redknapp preferring a pairing of Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael van der Vaart.
Defoe has started just 11 games and he admits that he did ask for a move earlier this year, with Liverpool very strongly linked with his services.
"I didn't want to leave. I don't go thinking, 'I want to go to this club or that club.'" he told the Daily Mirror.
"But in January I just wasn't playing enough and I did go to the manager and ask to go out on loan.
"He said to me, 'I don't want you to go out on loan. We are trying to do something special here. Don't go.' And so I stayed. And I worked hard to keep myself sharp."
"I love the club. Everybody knows that. When I'm out and people ask whether I am leaving I always say no. But how can I stay somewhere that I don't get the chance to play?"
Not happy
Despite staying at White Hart Lane, Defoe admits that his attitude remains the same.
"But still I haven't had that run of games. It still feels like I will only get a game if someone is injured or suspended," he said.
"Sometimes I even feel like I'm in the youth team, because I know that, whatever I do in midweek, I won't get a game at the weekend.
"The manager picks the team and I would never be disrespectful to the manager. But when someone doesn't talk to you and explain what's going on it's hard.
"I love the club. Everybody knows that. When I'm out and people ask whether I am leaving I always say no. But how can I stay somewhere that I don't get the chance to play?"
Defoe remains positive that his lack of games will make him fresh for the European Championship this summer and with Wayne Rooney suspended for the opening two games he has high hopes of making the 23-man squad.
Sharp
"That is the one positive - if I do get the chance to go to the Euros, I will be fresh and ready," he said.
"Coming on with a few minutes to go in every other Premier League game means I'm sharp.
"The manager [Hodgson] is a football man. Having been at a tournament before [taking Switzerland to USA 94], he will also know it's all about having people who can come in and get you a goal.
"Other people may have done that in qualifiers but in big international tournaments - when the pressure is on to get a goal or go home - it is much harder.
"I'm hoping that, having done that before, I can do it again."
I don't think Jol and Defoe had a great relationship at Spurs as Defoe was quoted as saying that if you fell out with Jol, that was it and there was no way back. He then said his relationship with 'Arry at that time was a lot better.
Here you go, the article below. On reading that, I don't think he'd be jumping to join Jol at Fulham!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html)
That boy has a big mouth. Wouldn't mind him here but can he play the lone striker?
Quote from: NorthernWhite on May 11, 2012, 11:59:36 AM
Here you go, the article below. On reading that, I don't think he'd be jumping to join Jol at Fulham!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html)
Now he's saying the same thing about Redknapp. Hmm, not hard to make the connection is it?
He's a decent player and you do always think he's going to get you a goal (I'd put him in the Euros squad) but suspect his wages are astronomical. Assuming they stay up, Rangers-bound I'd say.
Quote from: BalDrick on May 11, 2012, 12:22:16 PM
Quote from: NorthernWhite on May 11, 2012, 11:59:36 AM
Here you go, the article below. On reading that, I don't think he'd be jumping to join Jol at Fulham!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1263086/Jermain-Defoe-slams-Spurs-manager-Martin-Jol.html)
Now he's saying the same thing about Redknapp. Hmm, not hard to make the connection is it?
He's a decent player and you do always think he's going to get you a goal (I'd put him in the Euros squad) but suspect his wages are astronomical. Assuming they stay up, Rangers-bound I'd say.
I like him as a 2nd striker but I'm not convinced he can play the lone role. This may sound a bit daft but if he's not scoring, he offers very little else. At least with Bobby, when he wasn't scoring (Most of his 1st season then!) he contributed a lot and bought the midfielders into play and scoring positions.
I'm not a fan, and he is nearly 30.
He can't play up top on his own, hence why he has had so few games for Spurs.
Big wages, big ego and average return.
No thanks.
Quote from: The Moose on May 11, 2012, 12:05:48 PM
That boy has a big mouth. Wouldn't mind him here but can he play the lone striker?
Nah that's why Spurs want to get rid, and the reason why we shouldn't be in for him. A better version of AJ.
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on May 11, 2012, 01:22:28 PM
I'm not a fan, and he is nearly 30.
He can't play up top on his own, hence why he has had so few games for Spurs.
Big wages, big ego and average return.
No thanks.
+1.
And if he does well he'd be pushing for move at the first flash of a big clubs knickers too.
He's a goal scoring machine and would thrive with Special K and Frei playing on the wings.
However, please remember HatterDon's transfer rule #1 before anyone takes this seriously.
Quote from: AlFayedsChequebook on May 11, 2012, 01:22:28 PM
I'm not a fan, and he is nearly 30.
He can't play up top on his own, hence why he has had so few games for Spurs.
Big wages, big ego and average return.
No thanks.
A good summary...
Quote from: HatterDon on May 11, 2012, 04:31:33 PM
However, please remember HatterDon's transfer rule #1 before anyone takes this seriously.
What's that?
99% of all transfer gossip is complete bollox?
Definately one for the future :doh:
Quote from: Burt on May 11, 2012, 04:51:11 PM
Quote from: HatterDon on May 11, 2012, 04:31:33 PM
However, please remember HatterDon's transfer rule #1 before anyone takes this seriously.
What's that?
99% of all transfer gossip is complete bollox?
Really? I thought the number was much higher. :022:
I am not sure our reserves need Defoe to be honest. They have had a good season.
He is a professional Clubber loves to see his mug in the gossip pages ....................Hello !!!
Jezz isn't our own 30 something little legs staying on do we really need another one ???????
Quote from: Burt on May 11, 2012, 04:51:11 PM
Quote from: HatterDon on May 11, 2012, 04:31:33 PM
However, please remember HatterDon's transfer rule #1 before anyone takes this seriously.
What's that?
99% of all transfer gossip is complete bollox?
No, it's "We'll never sign a player on a transfer from Tottenham as long as 'arry's there."
Could well stick with AJ then. Defoe in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3? No way.