DEFOE WILL FIGHT FOR SPURS PLACE

Gary Stevens Age : 37 Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1266

DEFOE WILL FIGHT FOR SPURS PLACE
Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe has stated his commitment to staying at White Hart Lane and competing for a place in Martin Jol's starting XI.
The arrival of Darren Bent in a £16.5million deal from Charlton Athletic means Jol has four frontline strikers for the new campaign - and Defoe insists he is relishing the competition despite uncertainty over where he is in the pecking order.

Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane were Jol's first-choice pairing for the bigger games last season and all four marksmen are expected to feature as Spurs are also in the UEFA Cup.

"I'm really excited about the new season and the prospect of another campaign in Europe," read a statement from Defoe.

"We have made some good signings and our squad is now stronger and even better equipped to compete in all competitions.

"We have competition for places in all positions and that can only be good for the team."

Jol praised Defoe last season for his attitude while battling for a place in the side, and the striker is expected to continue the fight when he returns for pre-season training next week.

A mark of how highly Jol regards the England striker is ranking him alongside Berbatov and Keane as the most exciting players he has worked with.

Defoe actually started more Barclays Premier League games than Keane in the last campaign, and Jol could not separate last season's strikers when asked in official club magazine "Hotspur" for the most exciting player he has worked with.

Jol said: "I would have to say Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermain Defoe. I can't choose between them so I'd have to say all three are exciting."

Edgar Davids Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 3552

Yeah but does that mean he will be signing a new contract ?

Founding Father Joined : 06 Jun 2007 Posts : 1704

Will be interesting to see if he follows up these very encouraging statements by signing a new contract. If not, then I think we'll be forced to sell him as he's only got 2 years on contract left. Can't risk letting him go for nufink at end of season. :bmj: