Toronto-bound Defoe dismisses World Cup fears
Print Edition
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe believes that his imminent move to Major League Soccer side Toronto FC will not jeopardize his chances of representing England at this year’s World Cup.
Defoe, 31, is due to join Toronto on a four-year contract at the end of February for a reported fee of 8 million pounds (US$13.2 million).
England manager Roy Hodgson has previously expressed reservations about players plying their trade in North America, but Defoe sees no reason why he cannot be a member of the squad that goes to Brazil.
“Hopefully the manager knows what I can do,” Defoe told Sky Sports News. “I’m 31 and I’ve played in the Premiership my whole career. There’s not much more I need to prove. It’s down to the manager. He picks the squad, but like I’ve always said, if I get picked to play for my country, I’ll be ready.”
Defoe has scored 19 goals for England in 55 appearances and has been a regular member of Hodgson’s recent squads.
He came off the bench to score Spurs’ second goal in their 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Saturday, taking his tally of goals for the London club to 143.
Defoe’s decision to swap Spurs’ push for Champions League qualification for the relative obscurity of the MLS surprised observers, but he said that he felt ready for a change of scenery. Asked for the thinking behind the move, Defoe cited family reasons, having notably lost his father, Jimmy, to throat cancer in 2012.
“It’s a few things,” he said. “On a personal note, the things that we’ve been through over the last few years in the family.
“And sometimes it’s nice to have a change. I only had a year left on my contract at Tottenham and that was the situation.
“I suppose if you’ve got a year left and someone comes in and offers you four (years), then you’ve got to think about it and consider your options. It’s as simple as that.”
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