Sunderland boss David Moyes says Jermain Defoe is perfect model for long career
Friday 31 March 2017 12:45, UK
Sunderland manager David Moyes believes that young English footballers should follow the example set by Jermain Defoe to ensure they enjoy lengthy careers.
Defoe played his first game for England last week since November 2013, scoring the opener in a 2-0 win over Lithuania that saw Gareth Southgate's team go four points clear in Group F as they look to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Moyes compared the 34 year-old striker's longevity to Ryan Giggs after Defoe revealed his decision to become a vegan to prolong his career, though Giggs cited yoga as his main factor.
"I think that when you live correctly then it gives you a great chance of longevity in your career," Moyes said ahead of Saturday's visit to Watford in the Premier League.
"I have seen it with some other people. Ryan Giggs was one who had a great length of career because of how he trained and how he worked.
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"I have seen it with others, but I think Jermain's about the same. Jermain trains every day, looks after himself off the pitch. He eats correctly, doesn't drink, and if you want to stay in the game you have to do that because the young ones are fit, they're all very strong and fast and they're always trying to take over you.
"You have got to work harder the older you get to stay in the game."
Addressing Defoe's veganism, Moyes added: "I think it will suit Jermain for his lifestyle and maybe the way he lives. I am not sure it's for everybody and there might be nutritionists who would say it's the wrong thing but I'm sure there are others who would say it's definitely the correct thing.
"But if it makes him feel good, makes him feel confident, then so be it."
Moyes also hopes that Defoe and goalkeeper Jordan Pickford's call-ups to the England squad will entice players to the Stadium of Light, despite the club's relegation battle.
"It's a great message for all the young English players who I can see not getting games at their clubs," said Moyes.
"Why don't you come to Sunderland and you will get a good chance of becoming an England international?
"What a good advertisement for a lot of those young players who are not getting games regularly at some of the bigger clubs."
Defoe would become the eighth-oldest Englishman to play in a World Cup if he were to keep his place in Southgate's squad.
Since his debut for West Ham in 2000, he has scored 157 goals in 459 Premier League appearances, making him the seventh-highest goalscorer in Premier League history.
With 14 goals in 28 matches this season, it will be vital that Defoe can continue his scoring streak if 20th-placed Sunderland are to bridge the seven-point gap between them and 17th-placed Swansea City. The rest of the team has contributed only 10 goals between them to the survival effort.
Moyes though was adamant that the Black Cats would repeat last season's late escape from relegation.
He said: "The only thing I can clear up is we're not down and we're not planning to go down. We're planning to stay up."
