Jermain Defoe has alerted the attention of West Ham and Bournemouth after telling new Sunderland boss, Sam Allardyce, that he’s not happy to sit on the bench, as reported by The Express.
This came after Allardyce’s first game against West Brom where he brought the ex-England frontman on in the second-half. Before Big Sam’s arrival, Defoe wasn’t exactly starting regularly as Dick Advocaat chose to start with him on the bench on several occasions, even when the team was massively struggling to score goals. The lack of time on the pitch frustrated the 33-year-old and he threatened to leave.
Defoe has said:
At the age of 33, you want to play football. I didn’t come here to sit on the bench. You want to play football and score goals. I said that from day one.
However, the former Tottenham man has said he isn’t hinting at a move away from the club at the minute but a further lack of playing time could change his decision. Defoe proved last season that he was capable of meeting the Premier League’s demands after his January move from Toronto. He scored four goals in a limited number of appearances. His left-footed thunderbolt volley against arch-rivals Newcastle instantly won over the fans and played a vital role in keeping the club’s Premier League status.
Defoe has admitted that he respects the manager and his decisions, saying that he’ll work hard to get back into the team and hopefully take his chance when the time comes.
West Ham fans will be hoping the striker’s situation at Sunderland worsens so that they can arrange a deal to bring their former striker back to Upton Park.
