Defoe destined for life at the top

13 April 2012

David Platt today warned the West Ham manager Glenn Roeder that he faces a striker selection headache because of the first-team form being shown by Jermain Defoe.

The new England Under-21 manager watched the 18-year-old score twice and set up another goal as a second-half substitute in his team's 4-0 friendly win against Holland at Reading's Madejski Stadium last night.

Defoe - who grabbed his first goal after only being on the pitch for four seconds - has now scored three times in as many games for his country and Platt believes his composure in front of goal could be make him a Premiership regular.

Roeder appears to rate him behind Svetoslav Todorov and Paul Kitson, who is likely to partner Paolo Di Canio in West Ham's first game of the season at Liverpool on Saturday because first choice Frederic Kanoute has a hamstring injury.

But Platt, after taking charge of his first England game and using all 22 squad members, said: "This sort of team performance does not just give me selection headaches it gives club managers headaches.

"It gives Roeder headaches. I thought Defoe was bright and sharp all night. He is a goalscorer and a poacher."

Platt complimented Defoe on his anticipation and movement but his first goal last night was a simple conversion at the far post from John Terry's headed cross shortly after half-time.

Notably, it was his first touch of the ball after replacing the injured Darius Vassell - who was England's first goalscorer with a stunning leftfoot shot into the top corner of the net from just outside Holland's penalty area after just six minutes.

Defoe then contributed to the team's third goal when his measured pass sent Malcolm Christie clear to round the goalkeeper and make the score 3-0 after 87 minutes.

He finished off an excellent night's work when he side-footed the fourth goal home in injury time after a flowing move involving Jermaine Pennant and Scott Parker left him unmarked in the Dutch penalty area.

Defoe, who scored 19 goals on loan at Bournemouth last season but has only made one Premiership appearance for West Ham - as a substitute - added: "I want to get out and play in the Premiership and show everyone what I can do, but I am still young and must be patient.

"I really enjoyed it at Bournemouth and learned a lot. I am looking forward to this season and my dream is to play in the Premiership because it is one of the best leagues in the world.

"It is great to score for your country but I am just going to keep my head down and keep doing what I am doing and hopefully my Premiership chance will come." Apart from Defoe and Vassell, Chelsea's John Terry and Charlton's Scott Parker impressed but Arsenal's recent £8 million signing from Everton, Francis Jeffers, revealed his aggressive side.

He made little impact during his first-half appearance but stood out as the England player involved in an ugly tussle on the half-way line with three Holland players after 27 minutes.

Jeffers escaped punishment for his part in the shoving match but tougher action could have been taken when he appeared to kick out at Andy van der Meyde.

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Jermain Defoe

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Defoe destined for life at the top

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