Chelsea midfielder praises ‘goal machine’ Tottenham striker

Friday, August 17, 2012
8:24 AM

Frank Lampard believes Jermain Defoe still has an international future after netting against Italy

Frank Lampard has hailed the impact of Jermain Defoe after he scored a stunning winner for England against the Italy on Wednesday night.

The pair both came through the ranks at West Ham United but last season the striker struggled for first team starts at current club Tottenham, while he has also often been on the fringes at international level too.

Lampard, who skippered his country against the Azzurri, said: “Jermain still has got an international future, without a doubt. I’m a huge fan of his, having known him at West Ham as a kid and watched his career.

“He is a goal machine. I love strikers that are hungry to score goals and he has got that about him.

“He has got that real sharpness and not many strikers could have scored that goal he scored, with the short backlift, the quick turn and finish.

“When you have got someone with an instinct like that for goal, you need them in your team or around your team because they can make something out of nothing.”

Lampard added: “Managers have their choices. Maybe he hasn’t always played at Tottenham for himself to be in there (with England)

“But I know when Jermain is in the team, you fancy he is going to get a goal because he is that sharp and he does it in training all the time.

“When players can make that difference, it is brilliant.”