DEFOE: I’LL BE MENTOR
EXPERIENCED EX-SUNDERLAND STAR HAPPY TO HELP BRING ON INTERNATIONAL TEAM-MATES
Jermain Defoe is happy to try to help fill the gap for England that Wayne Rooney’s retirement has left in terms of mentoring young players.
And Defoe has stressed the hunger he still has for representing his country as he attempts to work his way towards his “dream” of featuring at next summer’s World Cup.
Former captain Rooney – who has 119 caps, more than any other outfield England player, and is the Three Lions’ record goalscorer with 53 – called time on his international career last week.
Boss Gareth Southgate had wanted to recall Rooney for the World Cup qualifying double-header against Malta (tomorrow) and Slovakia.
And when speaking last week about the squad he had selected, Southgate mentioned 34-year-old striker Defoe with regard to experienced members who could help nurture some of the youngsters in Rooney’s absence.
When asked if that was a role he could see himself embracing, Bournemouth frontman Defoe said: “Of course. I think it comes naturally, to be honest.
“At my club, I try to speak to a lot of the younger players and give them advice. It is something I feel I am good at and if I can bring that to this camp, I certainly will.”
Defoe returned to the England squad in March having not played for the team for over three years.
He has subsequently added two appearances and scored once to take his record to 57 caps and 20 goals.
And regarding his hunger for playing, Defoe – who joined Bournemouth over the summer after netting 15 times for Sunderland last season – said: “I just think it is something that has always been in me. The age thing I don’t really think about.
“I want to show people I can still do it. I want to stay in and around the England squad and hopefully go to another World Cup. It would be a dream to play at another World Cup for sure.
“It is nice sometimes when you feel you have something to prove. And in terms of preparation and recovery and stuff, I tick every box, so in my mind I don’t feel like I’m really slowing down.
“I do everything – yoga, pilates, a lot of power work in the gym, eat the right things. Just try to tick every box to make sure I am still performing. I still feel sharp and fresh. I just listen to my body and try and play as long as I can.”
Meanwhile, Defoe has been making some plans for whenever his playing days are over. On a possible future move into coaching, he said: “I’ve had a discussion with someone at Bournemouth about doing my badges this year, because it is something I have been thinking about.”