It’s surreal playing with one of my boyhood idols – Lallana
Adam Lallana has revealed he watched a young Jermain Defoe make his breakthrough on loan at Bournemouth – as the Cherries are linked with a summer swoop for the striker.
Defoe lined up in front of Lallana as England secured a relatively straight forward 2-0 win over Lithuania.
Lallana has become a key part of Gareth Southgate’s England side, as well as a star performer for Liverpool, but he admits playing alongside a childhood hero was a surreal experience.
He said: “My dad used to take me to watch Bournemouth play when he famously scored for 10 games in a row, so to be playing with him for England is quite surreal at times.
“But it’s the Jermain Defoe of old that you always know, and you bet your bottom dollar he’s going to score a goal and he did to get us on the way.”
Lallana teed up Jamie Vardy for England’s second goal after Defoe’s substituion, but the 34-year-old showed his worth and the Liverpool midfielder echoed Southgate’s claim that he can be a realistic option for next summer’s World Cup.
Lallana said there were no signs of ageing in the poacher and insisted he is playing like a man 10 years younger, as Bournemouth become the latest club linked with the forward, who could be available on a free transfer in the summer if Sunderladn are relegated.
He said: “He deserves it because he’s been playing some of the best football of his career this season, scoring goals.
“I think he’s here on merit and he’s proved what he’s about, what he can bring and what an option he is for Russia in a year’s time. It still feels like you’re playing with a 25-yearold Jermain Defoe.”