EXCLUSIVE: Jermain Defoe Shares Insights on Why Isak is ‘the One’ and His Natural Goalscoring Instinct

A true emblem of the Premier League, Jermain Defoe is widely regarded as one of the most lethal finishers to ever grace English football. With an impressive 162 goals in the English top tier, he ranks 10th in the all-time Premier League scoring chart, underscoring his exceptional talent in this area. Defoe also brought his renowned precision to the international arena, netting 20 times in 57 appearances for the England national team.

Best remembered for his time at Tottenham, Defoe was pivotal in Spurs’ last major trophy triumph in 2008, finding the back of the net in the earlier rounds of the Carabao Cup, even while on loan at Portsmouth, just a month prior to their victory over Chelsea in the final.

Launching his senior career at West Ham, Defoe made the switch to Spurs in 2004, where he would go on to tally 143 goals over 363 appearances across three separate stints with the club.

Defoe also enjoyed spells at other notable clubs, including Portsmouth, Sunderland, and Rangers, where he played a crucial role in leading the latter to major success, scoring 32 goals in 74 appearances to help Rangers clinch their first Scottish Premier League title in 2021 after a lengthy 10-year drought. This championship marked Defoe’s first in league football, occurring just a year before he retired.

Yet, it’s intriguing to consider how differently things could have played out.

Catch our complete interview with Jermain Defoe

“But it never happened when I was younger. I joined Spurs, and that was it!”

From his early days at West Ham, it was clear that Defoe had an innate ability to find the net. But what shaped this instinct?

“I believe I was born with the (goalscoring) instinct,” he confesses.

“From a young age, I understood that I had this instinct, and I was always at ease in front of goal. So, I practised relentlessly. Even if you have the instinct, repetition is essential. So, I just kept honing my skills as much as I could.

“I always aimed to ensure that I didn’t need numerous chances to score. Just give me one opportunity, and I’ll finish it. That was my mindset from a very young age.

“However, I genuinely believe that if you have a young player who misses chances, they can improve. Yet, I also feel many natural goalscorers are born with that talent.

“When I see someone like Harry Kane, I acknowledge that his journey differs from mine. He went out on loan to various clubs, and I met Harry in the youth team. Still, I observe many innate goalscorers – at times, you watch them and notice they seem uninvolved in the game, yet they always find the back of the net. 

“I think it’s just an instinct you possess. You watch players and think, ‘How did you know the ball was going to land there?’ Or ‘Why are you always in the optimal position?’”

Newcastle’s Swedish forward Alexander Isak has had a standout season, scoring 19 goals in the league, including a streak of eight consecutive matches with goals.

Defoe sees Isak as a player with that unique instinct, believing the 25-year-old could be a game-changer if he decides to move this summer.

“Whoever secures Isak this summer, be it Liverpool or Arsenal, he’s the one who can make a difference,” Defoe remarks, revealing his admiration for the young striker.

“It’s not just about the goals. In Newcastle’s 2-0 Carabao Cup semi-final win against Arsenal, the issues he created for (William) Saliba and Gabriel (Magalhaes) were significant. You don’t typically see that. Not even (Erling) Haaland manages that.”

“His movement is exceptional. He might not look physically imposing, but he is strong and knows how to leverage his body. When chances arise, he’s ruthless. Watching him has been a pleasure, and I know he would have troubled top defenders like John Terry, Rio Ferdinand, and Jaap Stam.

“Defenders are aware that facing him will be a challenge. He is a serious threat. Give him a half-chance, and he will make you pay for any mistakes.”

In contrast, strikers such as Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz have received praise for their versatility beyond scoring, yet their struggles with finishing have seen their teams falter at crucial junctures.

Even Liverpool, on their quest for the Premier League title, have deployed winger Luis Diaz as a forward in several matches this season.

However, Defoe maintains that elite strikers should primarily be prolific goalscorers, and having a traditional number nine can make an enormous difference.

“As a number nine, you’re evaluated based on goals. Undoubtedly, you can contribute in more ways. Wayne Rooney was a prolific scorer – he was Manchester United’s all-time top goalscorer, and at one stage, he held the record for England’s highest goalscorer until Harry (Kane) broke it.

“Yet, he wasn’t a traditional centre-forward in the classical sense. He would drift into midfield or play wide when (Cristiano) Ronaldo was up front. Nevertheless, he still found the back of the net regularly.

“Now, Erling Haaland deserves immense praise because it’s not easy to maintain focus and take chances, especially when you’ve been inactive in the game. Others might point out that he doesn’t contribute in other areas, but scoring goals is undeniably the hardest task.

Finding strikers like him is increasingly challenging, as the modern game tends to spread goals more evenly across the pitch, making versatility crucial. This rising trend could explain why Isak is desirable.

“There aren’t many true number nines in the game anymore. We do have attacking players, but I refer specifically to genuine goalscoring number nines. These players can indeed provide a game-changing impact,” he notes.

“Arsenal experienced a phase where they scored multiple goals from set-pieces. However, as matches become more tightly contested, particularly in the Premier League with its tactical evolution, often it comes down to that one decisive moment in the game.

“Reflect on the goal that (Mohamed) Salah scored against Everton, where he was relatively quiet throughout the match. It was that one moment of brilliance, and even though it looked like an open goal, his first touch and the quickness of his shot made all the difference.

“In tight matches at the highest level, having that dedicated number nine can change everything.”

Currently, the pool of strikers available in the England national team appears to be diminishing, highlighting the fact that genuine goal-scorers have become increasingly scarce.

“Recently, I watched ‘An Impossible Job’ (a documentary about former England manager Graham Taylor). I recall watching EURO 96, where you had (Alan) Shearer and (Teddy) Sheringham starting. 

“Then, you could count on Ian Wright, Les Ferdinand, Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler, Andy Cole, Paul Merson, and likely Matt Le Tissier.

“Just from that list, you’ve got seven top-tier centre-forwards who couldn’t even secure a place in the England squad… and they are all English! The landscape is vastly different now,” Defoe comments.

Over his extensive and successful career, Defoe has played alongside many world-class talents, yet two standout figures have made a lasting impression.

“Luka Modric and Steven Gerrard,” he answers promptly.

“One is a Ballon d’Or winner and the other could have easily claimed one.

“To hear what (Zinedine) Zidane has said about Gerrard speaks volumes. Zidane admires him, and when someone of his calibre says that, you know he must be something special.”

As for Jermain Defoe the manager? After leaving his position as a youth coach at Tottenham Hotspur last summer, he’s now primed to take the next step in his career.

“Wayne Rooney was ready. (Frank) Lampard was ready. Gerrard was ready. So, naturally, I’m prepared. I’ve completed my ‘apprenticeship,’ if you will, spending two years in the academy. What else do I need to do?

“You obtain your coaching badges, achieve your B Licence, followed by your A Licence, and then the pro licence. You coach at academies and the like.

“Many players I have played alongside have gone on to become managers… but I believe that now—with my experience, having done the courses, and my two years in Tottenham’s academy, making mistakes and learning behind the scenes—I am ready, especially given my 22 years playing at the highest level.

“I am ready.”