Jermain Defoe was placed on the “stand–by” list with Andy Carroll ahead of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Why Roy Hodgson did not select Defoe for the squad? It is probably due to the fact he now plays for Toronto in the MLS, a league that many frown upon. Perhaps if he had stayed at White Hart Lane, he may have had a place in the England squad. However, even that may of been unlikely, as Jermain Defoe’s role at Tottenham was diminishing rapidly.
Hodgson has left a prime goalscoring threat off his squad. Defoe may not be a starter in the England team, but as a substitute he would be the best bet to grab the goal that is needed in a tight match. He kept England in the World Cup in South Africa when he scored against Slovenia in the 1-0 victory, getting them out of the group stage. Would Hodgson rather rely on Danny Welbeck than Defoe? Bags of experience, pace, an eye for goal, and proven talent, Defoe is really what England need on the bench.
In 31 competitive matches, Defoe has scored 13 goals for The Three Lions. Now, this isn’t a massively impressive stat, but it is evidence Defoe scores goals. He would have certainly add to his tally in this year’s World Cup. The next World Cup will take place when Defoe is 35, the age that footballers have lost that extra bit of pace they had, pick up injuries regularly, and are close to the end of their playing days. It’s doubtful that Defoe will feature in any other World Cup, unless someone gets injured in this one.
Wayne Rooney and Daniel Sturridge have had impressive seasons, and even Rickie Lambert has had great displays of finish and work ethic. However, Welbeck is the one that isn’t good enough for this England squad compared to those who can be taken to Brazil instead.
There is an argument that England already have the experience amongst the strikers in Rickie Lambert and Rooney, while Sturridge and Danny Welbeck can use this World Cup to give them some experience. The next World Cup may see Welbeck and Sturridge possibly as England’s most senior strikers. (That’s if Harry Kane can’t help it!)
It only takes one slip, one bad fall, or one bad tackle for Defoe to get into the England squad. Whether he or Andy Carroll would get selected would be up to Hodgson. But, Defoe simply scores more goals than Carroll, and therefore a greater threat to the opposition, so he should be the first pick. Many may remember when Michael Dawson, Defoe’s ex teammate, was called-up to the England squad in 2010 when Rio Ferdinand was injured. Can history repeat itself for Defoe?
England won’t win the World Cup, Defoe won’t and can’t win it for them either. But, the aim is to get as far as possible. To do this, England must have the right squad. The balance between young and old. So maybe Hodgson has made the right decision between his two more experienced strikers, and two younger, less experience strikers. Still, Defoe will be missed by England.
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