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Defoe hopes for chance to impress

Jermain Defoe has revealed his frustrations both for club and country over the past year and claimed that Harry Redknapp, the former Tottenham manager, never explained why he was overlooked for so much of last season.

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Jermain Defoe has revealed his frustrations both for club and country over the past year and claimed that Harry Redknapp, the former Tottenham manager, never explained why he was overlooked for so much of last season.

Despite having the best goalscoring ratio of any striker at Tottenham, Defoe was frequently used from the bench as Redknapp often favoured a 4-4-1-1 system that incorporated Emmanuel Adebayor as the main striker in front of Rafael van der Vaart.

It has been a similar story with England as Defoe, who scored the winner in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Italy, has been generally seen as a squad player and impact substitute. It was Defoe's 16th goal in 49 England games.

"It is frustrating but all you can do as a player is make sure you are still around, still in the squad," said Defoe. "Every time I get called up for England, if I'm fit, I'll be ready and will always give it my all. I work hard in training.

"I'm not one of those players that will sulk. I just keep it going because if you sulk and then do get a chance, because your head has gone, you can't really perform. I've always waited for my chance and when I get one, make sure I grab it with both hands. I do feel sharp."

Tottenham's failure to agree personal terms with Adebayor has left Defoe as their only front-line senior striker going into the new season.

"Last season was a hard one because I did everything in the summer, went away and got myself fit and sharp," said Defoe. "I did everything I could and I wasn't playing. I was in an out of the team, no explanation, and it was difficult."

Tottenham are still hoping to add a striker but manager Andre Villas-Boas said yesterday that they were unlikely to return to Adebayor with an improved proposal. Their offer already includes a huge signing-on fee of around 4 million pounds as well as a weekly wage of pounds 100,000.

"As for improving the Adebayor package - no, probably not," said Villas-Boas. "We are trying to be more sensible."

With Luka Modric now finally nearing his move to Real Madrid, Tottenham also want another creative centre midfielder. They have already lost out to Chelsea on Oscar and are reluctant to pay Porto's pounds 24?million asking price for Joao Moutinho.

Villas-Boas also expressed doubt at whether Yann M'Vila, who is a specialist holding midfielder, would be a suitable replacement for Modric. "M'Vila is an interesting player but I don't think he will join Tottenham," said Villas-Boas. "He is a player of defensive characteristics and on the possible replacements for Luka we are looking for a more creative player."

Villas-Boas believes he failed at Chelsea because he attempted to transform the club "too aggressively" and insists he will not make the same mistakes at Tottenham. The Portuguese said: "There are changes that have to be done here, but I think that I won't promote that change as aggressively as I did at Chelsea."

 

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