Many fans thought that when Sam Allardyce took the England manager’s role, he would eventually end Jermain Defoe’s England exile. Having seen him first hand as manager of Sunderland, Allardyce knew he could score against top class opposition. Although he failed to make Big Sam’s first squad, with four goals to his name so far this season Defoe has been England’s top marksman. It was therefore thought that it was only a matter of time before he was back in the squad.

Hotshot Jermain Defoe Deserves Another England Chance

Before a switch to Toronto 2014, Defoe was a prolific Premier League striker for West Ham, Portsmouth and Tottenham. He was also a regular international and has 19 England goals to his name. His move to Canada seem to end his international career. His last cap came just before his move in late Autumn 2013.

A move back to England with Sunderland began slowly. Often played out of position, he still scored some important goals to keep the Black Cats in the top-flight. Last season, calls began to get louder for his return to the national side.

Prolific marksman

He was undoubtedly the main reason Sunderland once again survived relegation last season and was as prolific as any other Englishman. Defoe scored 18 goals last season in a struggling side. Only Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy, both playing in more successful sides, were ahead of him in the scoring charts.

Euro 2016 chance

The 33-year-old had an outside chance of making Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad and calls were getting louder for his inclusion. Hodgson stuck mainly with what he knew, apart from also taking Manchester United’s promising but unproven youngster Marcus Rashford. This was seen by many as Defoe’s last chance. That was until his manager at Sunderland decided to take the England reigns.

Although Allardyce did not include Defoe in his first squad, it was thought that if the striker could keep performing and hitting the back of the net it was only a matter of time. But Allardyce lasted just one game in charge.

Recall chance could be over. Or could it?

Gareth Southgate seems to have his own ideas and is sticking with players he knows well. Players such as Rashford and fellow Manchester United youngster Jesse Lingard are well-known to Southgate from their days together at Under-21 level. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also back in favour. It seems like Defoe could be overlooked for the foreseeable future, and at 34 years of age he may never be seen in an England shirt again.

England’s current set of strikers are not setting the world alight on the international stage at present. Southgate could do a lot worse than to pick a striker who has scored regularly for many years now and is still continuing to do so.

Defoe and Sunderland fans not too downbeat

It is evident that Defoe is still hungry to score goals at the highest level. Sunderland look like they will struggle once more this season and they will need him to be in top form. With this being the case, Sunderland fans will not be too unhappy that their star man is missing out on international weekends. If he keeps scoring in the Premier League, it could be hard for the England manager, whomever it may be, to ignore him for too long.

Main Photo