The person who represented me at the time said, You need to hand in a transfer request and get in early because all the lads are going to leave. It was a massive mistake. I didnt really want to do it. To this day I can imagine West Ham fans look at me and think, Who does he think he is? How can you do that? Youre a Judas. And its quite sad really because I can honestly say I still love that club. - Jermain Defoe, November 2013.
Its nearly eleven years since Jermain Defoe left Upton Park for London rivals Spurs and he probably would not be welcomed back in a hurry. Having spent five years learning his trade and banging them in the claret of blue and West Ham, the news was not met warmly when it was announced that he would be leaving for White Hart Lane in January 2004. He has since gone on to become fifth highest goalscorer in Spurs history and their top scorer in European competition, leaving a very rueful West Ham contingent to smart over the loss of their former prodigy. Now at Toronto FC, Defoe has been heavily linked with a return to the Premier League with former Hammers boss Harry Redknapp expected to lure him to QPR in the January transfer window. Defoe has grown disillusioned with criticism he has endured from Canadian supporters despite his healthy goalscoring record, and he is still said to be smarting over Roy Hodgsons decision to omit him from his World Cup squad.He may be 32 years of age, but he will always possess that primal instinct in the six-yard area - West Ham could do worse? Having said that, Alan Pardew once decided against bringing Fredi Kanoute back to Upton Park following the fans ire that he had incurred in moving to White Hart Lane - Allardyce would probably be wise to follow suit.
Recent Journalism & New Media graduate. Insatiable thirst for all things football, and hopes to break into the field of sports journalism in the near future.
Have made a significantly insignificant playing career out of receiving several slaps around the head for not passing the ball.
