RACE FOR DEFOE
Striker can leave on free transfer if Sunderland go down
ENGLAND striker Jermain Defoe can leave Sunderland on a free transfer if they are relegated from the Premier League,
Sportsmail can confirm.
The clause in the 34-year-old’s contract is sure to spark a scramble for his signature among top-flight clubs.
Bournemouth and West Ham have a long-standing interest in their former player but his return to the England set-up could alert others in the top half of the Premier League.
Sunderland are bottom of the table and seven points from safety despite Defoe scoring 14 times in the league this season. They gambled on not selling Defoe in the January transfer window — there was a £6million bid from West Ham — and still hope his goals can see them pull off another great escape.
Defoe has already hinted that he will be forced to leave the club if they go down.
After making a scoring return to the international scene during Sunday’s 2-0 win over Lithuania, the forward was encouraged by the comments of manager Gareth Southgate about his chances of staying in the squad for the 2018 World Cup.
ARSENAL
Best thing about this season: Arsenal are still in the FA Cup. For all their limitations, Arsene Wenger’s team remain capable of winning big matches on their day. Worst thing: Strangely Arsenal’s Cup run could work against them at the end of a season that has otherwise pointed towards the need for a new manager. Top goalscorer: Alexis Sanchez 18. Most assists: Sanchez 9. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Wenger has no intention of leaving unless things get significantly worse between now and mid-May. Marks out of 10 for the season: 6.
BOURNEMOUTH
Best thing about this season: Their revival. Eddie Howe’s team leaked lots of goals in the winter and looked as though they may be in trouble. But recent improvement reflects well on them. Worst thing: Jordon Ibe and Jack Wilshere were big-name summer arrivals but have they lived up to their billing? No and not quite. Top goalscorer: Josh King 11. Most assists: Junior Stanislas 5. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Howe is talented but still looks fractionally short of being ready for a really big club. He is only 39, by the way. Marks out of 10 for the season: 6.5.
BURNLEY
Best thing about this season: Burnley’s home record has been so good that they have spent most of the campaign looking up and not down. That will help them in the run-in. Worst thing: Sean Dyche’s team have suffered late on in games at times. Late goals — both offside — cost them points twice against Arsenal, for example. Top goalscorer: Andre Gray 8. Most assists: Sam Vokes, Steven Defour 3. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Dyche is capable of the next step but it is unlikely the right job will come up this summer. Marks out of 10 for the season: 8.
CHELSEA
Best thing about this season: Antonio Conte’s system of play has given freedom to Eden Hazard and Pedro and provided a platform for Victor Moses and Marcos Alonso to emerge. Worst thing: Kurt Zouma, 22, is one of the most talented central defenders in Europe but a serious injury last year derailed him. He has recovered but is yet to start a league game this season. Top goalscorer: Diego Costa 17. Most assists: Pedro, Cesc Fabregas 7. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. One feels this is just the start of something at Stamford Bridge. Marks out of 10 for the season: 9.
CRYSTAL PALACE
Best thing about this season: Palace supporters are a loyal bunch and did not hound Alan Pardew out even when it was clear he was failing. Heartening, that. Worst thing: Wingers Wilfried Zaha and Andros Townsend are so talented but so frustrating at times. Some consistency could take them places. Top goalscorer: Christian Benteke 9. Most assists: Wilfried Zaha 6.
Will the boss be there next season? Yes. The one big job Sam Allardyce wanted with England has now been and gone. Marks out of 10 for the season: 6.
EVERTON
Best thing about this season: Everton suffered a slump during winter that could have been terminal. The way they have recovered says everything about their blue chip steel. Worst thing: There is still a feeling among their star players that the grass is greener. We do not expect Romelu Lukaku or Ross Barkley to stick around. Top goalscorer: Romelu Lukaku 21. Most assists: Ross Barkley 7. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Fortunately for Everton, Ronald Koeman’s playing pedigree may not be enough to get him the job at Barcelona. Marks out of 10 for the season: 8.
HULL
Best thing about this season: The first weekend when Hull beat the champions. Little did we know that before long everybody would be doing it. Worst thing: Hull’s failure to build a squad fit for purpose last summer was embarrassing and shameful. Why bother getting promoted? Top goalscorer: Robert Snodgrass 7. Most assists: Snodgrass 3.
Will the boss be there next season? If Hull go down the talented Marco Silva will, in all likelihood, be on his way. Marks out of 10 for the season: 5.
LEICESTER
Best thing about this season: Everything that has happened since the sacking of Claudio Ranieri in February, including three successive league wins and a place in the Champions League quarter-finals. Worst thing: Everything that caused Ranieri to be sacked in the first place. Top goalscorer: Jamie Vardy 8. Most assists: Vardy 4. Will the boss be there next season? No. Leicester’s owners want a big name. Unless Craig Shakespeare can lead them to Champions League glory, of course. Marks out of 10 for the season: 5.
LIVERPOOL
Best thing about this season: The hope. It is impossible to watch Jurgen Klopp’s team without the suspicion that something unmissable is about to happen.
Worst thing: The hope. The Premier League season started so well that Liverpool fooled us into thinking they were good enough to win it. They are not. Not yet, anyway… Top goalscorer: Sadio Mane 12. Most assists: Adam Lallana 7. Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Klopp does not do short-term projects. Marks out of 10 for the season: 7.
MANCHESTER CITY
Best thing about this season: When City have clicked they have played some outstanding football and players like Gabriel Jesus and Leroy Sane look like stars of the future. Worst thing: City have struggled to cope with the tactical demands of coach Pep Guardiola. Top goalscorer: Sergio Aguero 13. Most assists: Kevin De Bruyne 10.
Will the boss be there next season? Yes. Guardiola often looks like he is ready to take his ball home but those who know him say he is in this for the long haul. Marks out of 10 for the season: 6.5.