There were high hopes for Maddison when he joined Spurs this summer in a £40m move from relegated Leicester City. It’s unlikely anyone quite expected the playmaker to settle in so quickly, however.

In the wake of Harry Kane‘s departure this summer, Maddison has instantly stepped up and helped to ease that loss for the club. Taking on the number 10 shirt, the 26-year-old has carried himself with all the verve and confidence you expect from a key figure in the team.

His performances and attacking output speak for themselves. With three goals and five assists to his name already this season (Transfermarkt), Maddison has been a talismanic presence for Spurs as they remain unbeaten and sit at the top of the Premier League.

(Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)

Maddison was made for Tottenham Hotspur

Maddison already appears to be a perfect fit for Ange Postecoglou‘s system, and was even named as one of his vice-captains. Suffice to say, things are going well for Spurs and Maddison so far.

Speaking to Premier League Productions (29/10/23 at 9:20 pm) about Maddison’s impact, Jermain Defoe was full of praise for the England international.

He said: “Maddison has been, for me, probably the best signing of the season. He is a Tottenham player, if that makes sense. Unbelievable signing. Really, really good.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I know what Defoe means about Maddison just feeling like a Tottenham player. I thought it even when he was breaking through at Norwich and definitely during his time at Leicester, that he just seemed to be the kind of player that we love to have at Spurs, and he’s proving that now. We are very lucky to have him.

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After the eras of Nuno Espirito Santo, Jose Mourinho and Antonio Conte; fans are now enjoying the brand of football that Tottenham are currently playing under the Australian; something which has been lacking since the prime Mauricio Pochettino era.

During that time, Tottenham had a formidable central defensive pairing of Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweirld, and arguably the best pair of full-backs in the league in the form of Danny Rose and Kyle Walker.

(Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)

Is Danny Rose Spurs’ greatest left-back of the Premier League era?

Former Spurs striker Jermain Defoe has singled Rose out for some special praise when he was asked to select a left-back in his best eleven from the players mentioned during the Football First series which he co-hosts along with striker Troy Deeney.

He said: “I’m going Danny Rose. On his day, consistent, strong, quick, loved a tackle. I remember that season with Poch when we should have won the league, just proper man.

“Strong, hard to play against. Proper defender, cos he just loved a tackle. Even in training, he’d be Danny Rose,” 

SpursWeb Opinion

It is still frustrating for many fans, including this one, that the Tottenham hierarchy did not look to dip into the transfer market to strengthen the squad in 2018 when we were arguably one or two quality players at most away from being title contenders for the foreseeable future.

One this is for sure, Danny Rose gave his all for Tottenham, and the way he was treated by Jose Mourinho at the end was certainly not befitting the service he had given to this football club.

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Nketiah has been handed almost 700 minutes in the first 10 games of the season for the Gunners, partly due to his impressive form and partly down to injuries to Gabriel Jesus.

The striker has taken those opportunities with both hands, netting five goals in 10 Premier League appearances (TransferMarkt). Judging by his hat-trick against Sheffield United at the weekend, it appears those Defoe tips are coming in handy.

(Photo by Visionhaus)

Eddie Nketiah asked Jermain Defoe for some tips

The Spurs legend, who is currently coaching at the Tottenham academy, revealed that Nketiah messaged him on Instagram in order to seek guidance from an experienced professional.

It sounds like Defoe was more than happy to help the next generation of English strikers, although his day-to-day focus remains on coaching Tottenham’s exciting academy youngsters.

He revealed to Premier League Productions (29/10/23 at 9:10 pm): “He actually messaged me on Instagram. I thought it was a joke. Arsenal and Tottenham.

“In pre-season, he messaged me on Instagram. He wanted to speak about finishing and movement, all that sort of stuff.

“I thought you know what, I like that because that’s a young centre forward that wants to try and get as much from other players that have played the game in that position as he can. Someone who wants to learn.

“He is a good finisher. When he gets chances, I believe he will score.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

Jokes and rivalries aside, it is nice to see Jermain Defoe staying involved in the game. He had such a unique way of finishing, it would be a waste not to pass his knowledge down to the next generation of players.

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Bale struggled to fulfil his potential during his first couple of seasons at Tottenham, partly owing to injury issues but after Harry Redknapp decided to move him from left-back to left-wing, he never looked back.

It was his performances in the two group-stage Champions League games against Inter that got the world to stand up and take notice of his talent.

The pacy-wide man netted a hat-trick at the San Siro against the side who were the reigning European champions at the time before putting them to the sword at White Hart Lane as Spurs emerged 3-1 winners.

Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images

Inter Milan wanted to sign Gareth Bale from Spurs

Bale got his big-money move to Real Madrid a couple of years later but Defoe has revealed that the Nerazzurri made a big offer to sign the Welshman soon after his Champions League displays.

The former Spurs striker said On The Judy Podcast: “He was meant to go on loan to Nottingham Forest and then Gaz got his chance and played in the Champions League against Inter Milan, a world-class performance in both legs. 

“That was one of the best performances I’ve seen. Did you know that they put a bid in afterwards? Inter said they wanted him for £40m. I’d never seen anything like it.”

Spurs Web Opinion

If this is true, it is quite strange that we did not hear anything about this story at the time as it is very rare that high-profile transfer offers for big players are kept a secret. 

£40m was huge money 13 years ago but Tottenham’s decision to turn it down proved to be the right decision, given that Bale fetched well over double that price not too long after.

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Tottenham have enjoyed an incredible start to life with new manager, Ange Postecoglou, since he took over in the summer.

With attacking football back on the menu, players firing on all cylinders, and results going Tottenham‘s way, the Lilywhites are right in the mix at the top of the Premier League table after ten matches.

Of course, it’s early days, and to sustain any kind of title challenge over 38 games is a huge ask for any team. You only have to look at Arsenal’s capitulation last season to see that.

Manchester City, the reigning champions, will always be the team to beat, but Pep Guardiola’s men have already lost two games this season in an uncharacteristic start to the campaign.

Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Defoe says Spurs can win the Premier League title

Speaking to Sky Sports about his former club’s chances of being involved come the end of the season, Jermain Defoe was in a defiant mood and claimed Spurs players should be feeling confident right now.

When asked about Spurs’ hopes, Defoe said: “Why not? Internally, of course, you have to stay humble. I know it sounds boring but you have to take each game as it comes, never look too far ahead.

“Deep down, even though there’s a lot of football to be played, if I was in that dressing room I’d think ‘OK we’re playing well’ and I think you have to think like that as players. If you don’t think like that you’re probably in the wrong business.

“But at the same time, I don’t think the manager will be sending that message and I don’t think the players will be expecting to win the league. You’ve got City… you look at Liverpool’s firepower… it’s important to take each game as it comes and make sure those performances don’t drop off. The manager will make sure of that.”

Spurs Web Opinion

I maintain that a top-four finish would be an unbelievable success for us so early in Postecoglou’s tenure. So much has changed, not just players but the style of play too, and it will take time for us to truly build a sustainable title challenge.

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In two spells with the club, Jermain Defoe saw plenty of top-class players come and go. He wasn’t too bad himself, either, scoring 140 goals in 361 appearances for the Lilywhites (Transfermarkt).

Having shared a field with the likes of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric, and Ledley King, it would probably be pretty easy to guess who Defoe would pick as his most skilful, most intelligent, and most reliable teammates.

However, behind the scenes, players can be very different to their on-field persona. The idea that Danny Rose would be the most angry player Defoe ever came across then, is something of a surprise.

Rose joined Spurs in 2007, and made 213 appearances for the North London club (Transfermarkt) before being released on a free transfer in 2021.

(Photo by James Chance/Getty Images)

Danny Rose was an angry player, says Defoe

Speaking to the former Watford striker, Troy Deeney, for BBC Radio 5 Live’s The Players Channel (via Facebook), Defoe was asked to name his angriest teammate.

He said: “Danny Rose was angry.” Deeney replied: “Yeah I played with him a bit.”

Defoe then added: “Benoit Assou-Ekotto. Remember Benoit? Angry!” Deeney seemed shocked by that one, adding: “He always seemed chilled though?” Defoe simply replied: “Angry.”

Unfortunately, he offered very little explanation for his answers beyond describing the pair as angry. Maybe it’s just something in the blood of left-backs.

Spurs Web Opinion

After seeing Danny Rose confront Jose Mourinho in the Tottenham documentary, I can see why he would be considered an angry man. He was fairly calm in that discussion, but you could see how riled up he was. 

Assou-Ekotto is a surprising one though, as he famously didn’t even particularly like football, so you wouldn’t think he would care enough to get angry.

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After losing Harry Kane in the summer, Tottenham needed Son to step up to the plate and the South Korean certainly has.

The new Spurs captain has been excellent so far this season, particularly since being moved to the centre-forward role by Ange Postecoglou, having found the back of the net seven times so far this season (Transfermarkt).

He opened the scoring for his home side against Fulham on 36 minutes, taking a touch to wrong-foot the defender and curling the ball into the far corner after Spurs won the ball high up the pitch.

Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

Heung-min Son is a master of the top-corner curl

Defoe told the Premier League website following Tottenham’s 2-0 win: “I don’t think Fulham have made it easy, Spurs have had to work for it. But when the chance came, it was an amazing finish. 

“What Son does really well is let the ball run across his body to get an extra yard. You know what he’s going to do, he’s mastered that finish.”

The former Tottenham striker insisted that the Lilywhites were fully deserving of the three points against Marco Silva’s men, given the intensity with which they played and the volume of chances that they created.

The 41-year-old added: “Credit to the manager, the staff and all the players. Ange Postecoglou deserves a lot of credit. The way Tottenham play, so aggressive, tactically very good and getting so many bodies into those central areas. 

“They create so many chances, the new signings have all been fantastic and everything goes through Maddison. It’s been brilliant.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Son’s finishing with either foot has always been there with the best in the world. While the forward does have some shortcomings as a centre-forward, such as his ability to play with back to goal, he more than makes up for it with how deadly he is when opportunities fall his way.

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While there are some players who make the most of their ability and go on to have amazing careers despite having a fairly limited skill set, others often fail to reach anywhere near their potential despite being naturally gifted. 

There have been plenty of the latter kind at Tottenham over the years and perhaps one of the best examples is Taarabt. The midfielder was seen as a real coup for Spurs when the North Londoners snapped him up from Lens as a 17-year-old in 2007.

Despite showing his outrageous ability on the ball during several cameos off the bench for Tottenham, the Moroccan never managed to become a first-team regular at Spurs under Martin Jol, Juande Ramos or Harry Redknapp.

That has pretty much been the story of Taarabt’s career as he has never quite managed to deliver consistent displays and live up to his potential.

Now 34, the midfielder is seeing out the twilight of his career at Saudi Pro League club, Al-Nasr, and he will perhaps look back on his career and wonder ‘what if’.

LONDON, ENGLAND – MARCH 29: The Tottenham Hotspur badge can be seen on the side of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on March 29, 2021 in London, England. (Photo by Chloe Knott – Danehouse/Getty Images)

Defoe opens up on dealing with Adel Taarabt at Spurs

Defoe admitted that several of the senior figures at Spurs tried to get hold of Taarabt in an effort to get him down the right path.

The former Tottenham striker said on the Football Firsts podcast with Troy Deeney: “I remember Adel Taarabt, in training and that he would try all these tricks and lads used to get frustrated that he didn’t train well.

“He didn’t eat stuff that we were meant to be eating but then we played against someone, right, at home and he did that thing – I saw it on Instagram.

“He used to get it and roll it, and flick it back. He used to do mad stuff. Naturally so gifted. He did it in the game and there is a picture of Didier Zokoro going like this [hands on head] behind him.

“He used to just do his stuff in the game and you would think that this kid is unbelievable but you used to have to try and get hold of him because you’d think this kid is a nightmare.”

Spurs Web Opinion 

People who think football at the highest level is purely about ability are wrongly mistaken. You can have all the ability in the world but if you are even a little bit short in desire and motivation, you will be ruthlessly exposed at the top level. Tanguy Ndombele is a great example of that.

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Palacios arrived at Tottenham in January of 2009 after an excellent year at Wigan, with the midfielder being one of Harry Redknapp’s first signings at White Hart Lane.

He had an excellent start to his Spurs career, forming a formidable partnership with Jermaine Jenas in the middle of the park.

However, the midfielder found himself falling down the pecking order after Redknapp decided to move Luka Modric from the left to the middle, with the Croat often partnering Tom Huddlestone during the 2009-10 season as Spurs qualified for the Champions League for the first time.

Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Wilson Palacios blew Jermain Defoe away at Spurs

Defoe has now admitted that he was excited as soon as he saw Palacios in training at the old Spurs Lodge, remarking that the team needed a hard-tackling midfielder like him.

The former Tottenham striker said on Football Firsts on the BBC Sounds: “There was one right, Wilson Palacios. In those times he was eating people up.

“We were linked with him, and I was excited about this, Tottenham – I thought we needed someone like that. We could all play, but we need someone like that in the team.

“I was excited about it. But that first session, he must have clamped someone. We have all turned around and gone ‘woah’. You know when you are at certain clubs, at Tottenham, we were all nice, everyone could play. When he came in it was something completely different.

“He just ran over a smashed someone, smashed someone again, and I looked at Harry and thought yeah, I was buzzing. I was just like this is just next level.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Palacios had absolutely everything to his game when he first arrived at Spurs and it is not an exaggeration to say that he was absolutely world-class during his first six months at the club.

However, the midfielder was never the same player since he suffered a horrible personal tragedy, with his brother being murdered. That is something he has opened up about since (Daily Star).

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Kane will undoubtedly go down as Tottenham’s biggest legend of the Premier League era and some might even argue that he is the greatest player that the club have ever had.

However, it is fair to say that some of the comments that the 30-year-old has made since his switch to Bayern in the summer have not gone down particularly well with parts of the Tottenham fan base.

His assertion last month about there being more pressure at Bayern to pick up consistent results than there was at Spurs (Mirror), led to some backlash on social media.

The England captain has had an outstanding start to the season with 13 goal contributions (nine goals and four assists) in nine matches across all competitions so far, and Defoe believes that Tottenham fans want the centre-forward to succeed at the Allianz Arena.

(Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)harry 

Jermain Defoe wants to see big things from Kane

When asked about Kane’s move to Bayern, the 41-year-old told Stats Perform (as relayed by SportMax): “For Harry, it’s amazing for him and his family. It’s a new challenge.

“Everyone at Tottenham wants to wish him the best – we always knew he was going to do well anyway because he’s a world-class player. He’ll score goals anywhere. Nothing changes in terms of goals.

“We just want to wish him the best because Harry as a footballer is special but he’s a special guy and he deserves everything he gets.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Even though a vocal minority of Spurs fans on social media appear determined to find reasons to hate Kane, the striker will undoubtedly always be loved by an overwhelming majority of the fan base.

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Maddison has had a barnstorming start to his Spurs career, having instantly become the player that makes Ange Postecoglou’s side tick.

The 26-year-old, who was voted the Premier League Player of the Month for August, faced his biggest test since joining the club when Tottenham travelled to the Emirates on Sunday.

One could see from the attacking midfielder’s body language during the game that he was enjoying the occasion and the pressure that came with it.

Even though Maddison almost cost Spurs a goal mid-way into the first half as he gave the ball away inside the ball to Gabriel Jesus, who failed to convert his chance, that did not affect the England international’s confidence.

The former Leicester City man continued demanding the ball from his teammates and made a big impact in the final third, setting up both of Son Heung-min’s goals.

LONDON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 16: James Maddison of Tottenham Hotspur reacts after missing a chance during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Sheffield United at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on September 16, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

James Maddison has a swagger about him at Spurs

Defoe admitted that he loved the ‘arrogance’ that Maddison showed in his first North London Derby.

The former Spurs striker told Premier League Productions (25/09/23 at 5:15 pm): “You look at someone like James Maddison who, for me, is a Tottenham player, if that makes sense He can handle the ball in any area. He is comfortable to do that.

“When Maddison gets on the ball, then as a forward player, you know that he will find you. One-v-one. Just a bit of brilliance (for Son’s goal) – He has that good arrogance.”

Spurs Web Opinion

You could tell that Maddison is not just unfazed by the big stage but actually enjoys the pressure and the chance to showcase his quality. The 26-year-old seems like the type of character that we can rely on to drag the team to win in big matches.

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Capoue joined Spurs in a £9.4m deal from Toulouse in the summer of 2013, with Andre Villas-Boas signing him to compete with Sandro for the number six spot.

The Frenchman was quite highly rated when he arrived at Spurs, having been considered one of the best young talents in Ligue 1 at the time.

(Photo by FRANCK FIFE/AFP via Getty Images)

However, the midfielder never quite managed to get a consistent run of starts at Tottenham and was eventually sold to Watford for £6m in 2015.

The midfielder played 167 times for the Hornets during his six seasons at the club before joining Villarreal in 2021/

Capoue shared the dressing room with Troy Deeney at Vicarage Road and the former Watford captain admitted in his conversation with Defoe on the Football Firsts Podcast that he and the former Frenchman frequently argued.

Defoe agreed that the former Toulouse star was quite argumentative, with both strikers admitting they were in awe of the 35-year-old’s talent.

Deeney said “No one’s backing down, but no one’s going in with the intention of hurting the other person. I’m on you, you’re on me, and it ended up fueling us.

“Like I say, it’s [Etienne Capoue] Caps, if you put both of us morally, we’re the same kind of person. He wants to win, and loves his family similar to me, but our personalities are so different. Did you play with Etienne at Tottenham?”

Jermain Defoe replied: “Yep. He’s good isn’t he?” to which Deeney responded: “How talented is he? He’s a joke,” before Defoe added: “Oh my god. I used to argue with him all the time at Tottenham, but he gives it back though.”

Deeney concluded: “Unbelievable player, probably the best I’ve played with because he just had so much about him.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Capoue seemed like he had everything to be a world-class number six, including unreal athleticism, technical quality and a good reading of the game. However, for one reason or another, he never quite managed to fulfil his potential.

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Jermain Defoe is one of Tottenham’s biggest legends of the Premier League era, with the striker scoring 143 goals in 363 appearances for the Lilywhites across two spells (Transfermarkt).

The 40-year-old, who hung up his boots last year, is considered by many to be one of the most natural finishers of the modern era.

Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

The Spurs legend now works as an academy coach at Hotspur Way, imparting his experience and know-how to the young strikers coming through the system at the club.

The former striker revealed on the Outside the Box podcast last month that he dreams of managing Tottenham one day but admitted that he is taking things step by step and is keen to learn the ropes before jumping into management.

In the meantime, it looks like Defoe might be taking an interest in another sport, with the Spurs legend telling Eddie Hearn that he is ready to take up boxing.

He told IFL TV: “I would get the gloves on, no problem. Whoever wants it can get it, I don’t mind.

“Eddie Hearn, I’m a prizefighter so bring the money.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It sounds like Defoe was merely being tongue-in-cheek here.

I doubt the Tottenham man would seriously consider getting into the ring at this time, especially given that he is in the process of building his coaching resume.

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Defoe is one of Tottenham’s biggest legends of the Premier League era, with the striker scoring 143 goals in 363 appearances for the Lilywhites across two spells (Transfermarkt).

Photo by Tottenham Hotspur FC/Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty Images

The 40-year-old, who hung up his boots last year, is considered by many to be one of the most natural finishers of the modern era.

The Spurs legend now works as an academy coach at Hotspur Way, imparting his experience and know-how to the young strikers coming through the system at the club.

Recently, Chris Sutton had said on BBC Five Live’s Monday Night Club that the while the former Spurs striker would make for a ‘top-class’ boss one day.

When that was put to Defoe, the striker admitted that he wants to wait until he is ready before jumping into his first job.

Reacting to Sutton’s comments, he said on the Outside the Box podcast: “Chris Sutton said that? That’s quite a positive I appreciate it actually.

“As I’ve said many times on this podcast, I don’t think you need to rush into it.

“I want to learn as much as I can and when I get that first job, I am ready, I don’t want to jump in too soon.

“But in football, you never know, getting the Spurs job now would be crazy, wouldn’t it?”

Spurs Web Opinion

It is often quite difficult for managers to take over in the lower leagues and work their way up as they are usually written off after one bad stint.

That is why the likes of Defoe, Mason and Toure (who would presumably all have managerial ambitions) need to be smart in picking the right job to start with.

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The Tottenham legend, who now works as an academy coach at the club, identified Harry Redknapp as the type of manager he most connected with as a player, which would not come as a surprise to anyone.

The striker played under Redknapp at Spurs, West Ham and Portsmouth , and he waxed lyrical about the 76-year-old’s man-management skills.

Defoe told Sports Mole: “While I was playing I always looked at Harry Redknapp and I always thought – ‘you know what, you’re a special human’. Forget about the managing, because that speaks for itself, but in terms of a human being I always felt that he was special. When I signed for West Ham, just how he was with me, my family, Joe Cole and his family – all the younger players – I just thought he was special.

“A lot of time with managers, yes there is an interest in the academy, but for him it was: ‘Alright who am I bringing through? Who is the next young player to come through?’ And sort of change your life. Someone who I can relate to, someone from the East End – he just always wanted the best for me. Always wanted to give me that opportunity to fulfil my potential.

“I made my debut at 17, left school and the next year I’m playing in the first team at West Ham. It happened so fast for me, so he was the one really. I see the way he used to manage the group, how he was with the senior players, that freedom to go and express yourself – ‘you know what you need to do’ – and with the younger players just wanting to bring you through and give you an opportunity.

“I remember when Harry went to Portsmouth – I left Tottenham and went to Portsmouth, and I had a conversation with him about the contract. I remember speaking to the manager and literally, no word of a lie, we agreed it within five minutes. ‘What do you want?’, ‘OK boss, this is what I’m looking for, this is what I feel like I’m worth’, and it was just no problem.

“I played for Portsmouth, he got the Tottenham job, I came back to Tottenham again, contract, ‘Yeah, I’m going to get you what you want so you can look after your family, set yourself up’, all that sort of stuff. That was the conversation I had with him. I wasn’t just like, ‘you’re earning good money, go on’, it was, ‘you’re earning good money – invest and look after your family’. That was always the message to me that he had.”

Defoe admitted that seeing the players he played alongside go into coaching has piqued his own interest about taking over the top job one day.

He continued: “You know when you just love football? Everything that comes with it. Even towards the back end of my career, I did a little bit of coaching at training where I’ve just pulled someone, one of the younger players, and did a bit of finishing. I’ve always had a good feeling doing it, helping the next generation, helping another player.

“I always thought when I finish I’d like to go into coaching. I think sitting back and watching other players I played with – like Wayne Rooney, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Scott Parker – there’s been many more, Sol Campbell – when I look back at others players who have done it it does make you want to do it more. I want to take my time with it, complete my badges, learn as much as I can.”

The 40-year-old admitted that he is not in a hurry to jump into a managerial job, insisting that he is learning a lot from coaching the young players at the North London club.

“Day by day, taking it step by step”, he said. “Learning as much as I can from the coaches at Tottenham, the people around me, and then see where it takes me. Just take my time really – I don’t want to rush into things. When you do get that job, you need to be ready.

“[As a coach at Spurs] you have to get in early, prepare training, plan the sessions, do the numbers, after training there is a review of the session, there are meetings, you might pull individuals about maybe the game you played on the weekend or a game that’s coming up.

“There’s a lot of stuff that is completely different to playing, but it’s just more game prep, training prep. I’m enjoying it, it’s been different but I’ve really enjoyed it being on the other side.”

Defoe also remarked that there is plenty of talented young players coming through the ranks of the Hotspur Way set-up at the moment.

When asked about the young talent at the club, he said: “There are a few good ones to be honest. I don’t want to name names because there’s so many of them and I hate just picking individuals, but there are a few that have really excited me since I’ve been in.

“They’re really young – a couple of Under-15 players that are playing in the Under-18s – there are a few that really excite me, and it’s nice to see that next generation coming through. Hopefully one day these are the next superstars and these are the ones that will play for Tottenham one day.”

(Photo by Eddie Keogh – The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

Spurs Web Opinion

Whether or not Defoe makes it as a manager, there can be no one better for young strikers to learn from, when it comes to specifics about movement and finishing with either foot.

The wisdom that the 40-year-old would be sharing, will certainly prove invaluable for the youngsters coming through the ranks at Hotspur Way.

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In fact, the former Spurs striker even revealed that he met Lloris before he joined the Lilywhites back in 2012.

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Defoe first crossed paths with Hugo in the South of France and ended up playing head tennis with the future Tottenham captain on the beach.

As such, Defoe was able to give his Spurs teammates a glowing review of the goalkeeper when it was announced he would be joining them in North London.

Fast forward over a decade and Lloris is still leading the way for Tottenham in N17, although this could well be his final season at the club.

The Lilywhites are expected to prioritise signing a successor to the Frenchman this summer (Daily Mail) while Alasdair Gold has suggested the North Londoners may give Lloris a choice between leaving or staying to fight for his spot.

Defoe said (LadBibleTV): “I actually met Hugo before he came to Tottenham in the south of France.

“I remember I was playing head tennis on the beach with him and I remember thinking ‘wow for a goalkeeper with his feet he was unbelievable,’ I was surprised.

“When I found out he was coming to Tottenham I was buzzing. I remember telling the players Hugo is top, when he came to Spurs what really impressed me was how quick he was around the goal.

“He’s not massive to be fair, you wouldn’t say he has a big presence, but he’s electric around the goal and quick off his line.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

Hugo Lloris will go down as the best goalkeeper to ever appear for Tottenham, and deservedly so.

The most heart-breaking thing is that he will likely leave without a single trophy to show for his efforts.

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Defoe is considered by many to be one of the most natural finishers in Premier League history, with the former Tottenham man being lethal in front of goal out of either foot.

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However, even the 40-year-old will admit that he was nowhere near as well-rounded a centre-forward as Harry Kane, who has continued improving different facets of the game throughout his career. 

The 29-year-old is likely to go down as the greatest goalscorer in Premier League history, currently sitting just 60 goals behind Alan Shearer’s record and it is also only a matter of time before he clinches Wayne Rooney’s goals record for England.

Redknapp has now explained how Kane, like Frank Lampard, put in a lot of hard work at the training ground to become as good a finisher as he has.

The former Spurs manager said to Defoe on Outside The Box Podcast: “You were just a natural finisher, you had that instinct that you can’t just give to people.”

When Defoe asked if that skill can be coached, Redknapp responded: “I think you can improve it with people. People like Harry Kane may have had to work at his game and become better and better.

“Frank Lampard worked so hard to become better and better too. With you, you were just natural as a kid and you were probably doing it at the age of 10.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Defoe’s finishing was of a different level to most strikers in his era and there is no doubt that the former Tottenham man underachieved relative to his talent, even though he has some outstanding numbers.

However, the 40-year-old would have trouble playing in this era as he offered nothing outside goals. Centre-forwards these days are expected to do a lot more than just score and Kane is undoubtedly a league above the rest of the number nines in world football at present.

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Defoe himself is something of a legend at Tottenham, having scored 143 goals in 362 appearances for the club across two stints during his playing career (Transfermarkt).

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His affiliation with Spurs has come full circle, with Defoe now taking on a coaching role within the club’s youth system. One of his key responsibilities now then, is to recognise and nurture young talents in the Spurs academy.

While Defoe and Harry Kane didn’t cross paths for long during Kane’s ascension to the first team at Spurs, they did spend time training together in the early days of Kane’s path to stardom.

Kane has eclipsed Jermain Defoe’s goalscoring record at Spurs, and now has 261 goals in 408 appearances for the club (Transfermarkt). His talents are clear for all to see now, but Defoe has said he was impressed from day one.

Speaking on William Hill’s Stripped Podcast, Defoe recalled the first time he trained with Kane and how his natural ability shone through immediately.

Defoe said: “Harry’s goalscoring ability is natural, you can’t teach that. I remember the first time I saw Harry when he trained with the first team at Spurs, I was like ‘wow.’

“He was just hitting corners, that was natural. The way he finishes is like [Alan] Shearer. He scored a lot of goals, but he just put his foot through the ball.”

He went on to discuss Kane’s goalscoring technique in more detail, adding “For someone like Harry Kane, they’re just clean, calculated finishes in the corner.

“The goal against Liverpool the other week, just a little touch and finish. He knows exactly what he’s doing, he doesn’t just want to hit the target. He’s taken his game to another level.”

Spurs Web Opinion

It wasn’t always clear just how good Harry Kane would be, when you consider his performances during loan spells in his early playing days where he didn’t exactly set the world alight. But, you can just imagine how he was in training, with the natural talents that he obviously possesses.

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Maddison has been in incredible form for the Foxes this season, despite their troubles down the bottom end of the Premier League table. The creative midfielder has six goals and four assists in 12 Premier League matches so far this season (TransferMarkt).

(Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

With his deal coming to an end in 2024, Football Insider reported this season that Maddison would ‘jump at the chance’ to join Spurs if the North Londoners made a move for him. The report also stated that Tottenham were keeping close tabs on the Leicester star. 

Alasdair Gold also reported on his YouTube channel back in August that Spurs admired the 25-year-old midfielder.

As someone who knows all about putting the ball in the back of the net, Defoe insisted to Premier League Productions (05/11/22 at 6:30 PM) this week that the likes of Harry Kane would love to play with Maddison.

He said: “Every game you watch him, we keeping saying ‘here is another good performance’. He’s so clever. Gets himself into positions just behind the midfield – every single game you see him, he gets better and better.

“But he has been the best player on the pitch. If we are basing on merit, then he should be going to the 2022 World Cup.

“Yes, it is surprising he only has one England cap. You look at the other players in that position, and we talk about stats and stuff, they don’t lie. It’s the consistency.

“That swagger he has got in big games. I don’t think it will faze him at a World Cup, whether it’s the quarter-final or semi-final. To get on the ball and create something out of nothing, he has that quality.

“For me, it’s simple. If you spoke to any centre-forward, whether that’s Harry Kane, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Tammy Abraham and Callum Wilson. And you said, ‘would you want him behind feeding you?’

“I can guarantee you, all those forwards would say yes, at a major tournament.”

Spurs Web Opinion:

The big caveat with Tottenham going for Maddison is ‘does Conte want him?’ If Conte is after that kind of midfield creator to play in a three or perhaps cover on the right side of an attack too, then Maddison feels like a no-brainer to me.

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Dier has become a key figurehead in Antonio Conte’s Tottenham side and a linchpin in the back three of the Italian’s system. While the defender has been criticised in the past for being error-prone, he now appears more composed than ever.

Last season, Dier made 35 league appearances and kept 16 clean sheets (PremierLeague.com) as Spurs claimed a top-four spot.

This term, Dier has gone from strength to strength. Not only is he putting in solid displays at the back, but he has also contributed two goals to the cause (Transfermarkt).

His recent form has seen Dier reclaim his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad after 18 months away from the national team set-up. With two more caps under his belt during the recent international break, Dier could be set for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

According to Spurs legend Defoe during the coverage of England vs Germany on Monday night (Channel 4 – 26/09/2022, 19:00), we are seeing Dier at the top of his game currently.

He said: “I think he deserves [the recall]. If you see how he has been consistent this season, how he has played under Conte, I think he’s been fantastic.

“He seems to be back to his best. He looks fit, he’s a leader and not too long ago, he was one of England’s most important players. I am happy for him.

“He has started both games (Italy and Germany). Hopefully, he goes to the World Cup confident and hopefully he will be in the squad.”

Spurs Web Opinion

Eric Dier has improved so much over the last year and is now a crucial part of Antonio Conte’s project at Spurs. He has grown in stature as a leader on the pitch, he’s developed many aspects of his game, and he’s even scoring goals now.

If Dier doesn’t go to the World Cup, I would be very shocked and very disappointed, as he’s arguably England’s most in-form centre-back at the moment.

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