Defoe not looking to call it a day quite yet
Despite turning 35 on Saturday, Bournemouth and England striker Jermain Defoe is still hopeful that he can force his way into the England squad for the 2020 European Championships.
When Defoe moved to the MLS three years ago, many felt that he had accepted that his career at the top level was over. No football fan can say that they would have predicted what came next.
The Bournemouth man returned to the Premier League, proved his worth all over again and earned an England recall in the process and the veteran has now set his sights on the 2020 European Championships.
Speaking to the press, the experienced striker explained that he is in the best shape of his life and he refused to rule out playing at the highest level for a few more years yet.
“I might be 35 but my fitness stats are the same as ever,” he explained. “I didn’t know I would reach this age and still be running down the channels like I’m 25, so no, I don’t know how long I can keep going. But if I feel the same at 37, why not carry on? If we were looking at my stats at the age of 25 and they were the same, it wouldn’t even be a question, would it?”
What is his secret? Well, Defoe gives credit to former Arsenal star Ian Wright for introducing him to a personal trainer who he claims has added five years to his career.
“Everything Wrighty taught me I never forgot, and he was the one who introduced me to Tiberius [Darau]," Defoe said. "I injured my ankle in 2010 after the World Cup, and he told me I needed to see this guy in Cannes. He said: ‘Don’t worry, just go to him,’ so I did. I think he [Darau] had been at Arsenal for a few years before retiring but a lot of players still used him. He was unbelievably good, like an angel to me, and I was upset when he died a couple of years ago. But in the 10 days I was with him he put me through the hardest training I have ever known. I was saying: ‘I don’t know if I can do this,’ and he was saying: ‘Just listen to me, I’m going to put five years on your career.’
“It was only short, sharp stuff but really explosive. In the afternoons I would go back to the hotel and sleep. All I will say is that when I got back Harry Redknapp was amazed. He tried to bring Tiberius over to Tottenham but couldn’t get him, so I just kept nipping over to France every pre-season for a few years. I loved that guy.”
Whilst many will debate as to whether Defoe remains one of England's best strikers if they had a fully fit squad to choose from, no-one can deny his absolute committment to his profession.