By Richard Bailey Last updated: 23rd November 2009
Defoe: Sets targets
Jermain Defoe has his sights firmly set on becoming the Premier League's top scorer this term following his five-goal haul against Wigan.
The 27-year-old's emphatic performance in the 9-1 demolition of the Latics at White Hart Lane on Sunday took his tally for the campaign to 11 and to the top of the goalscoring charts - a position he intends to hold on to.
However, personal triumph will not do for the England international, with a UEFA Champions League place also on the striker's agenda.
Defoe already looks certain to beat his own personal best haul for a league season having scored 13 while with Portsmouth in 2007/08.
"It would be the first time I'd won the Golden Boot, so I'd like to do it this year," he told the Evening Standard.
While Defoe also revealed his desire to play against the best in the world in the Champions League, saying: "I always watch Champions League games on television.
"It's another competition where you're playing against the best and I'd be playing against the best defenders in the world. It's a great tournament.
"That is the pressure you want as a professional. All the best athletes and players over the years thrive on that pressure and cannot wait for the next game to arrive."
The former West Ham youngster was also delighted that his showing against Wigan had gone some way to repaying his team-mates for his 'stupid' red card against Portsmouth, with Spurs losing two of the three games he missed through suspension.
"It was important to come back like this because I owed something to the team. It was stupid and I shouldn't have got sent off," he added.
"When I got sent off I knew what I had done straight away and it was out of character. I can't remember the last time I was booked."
Barclays Prem Top Goalscorer 09/10: Defoe, J. 15/2
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Comments (5)
Cameron Byrne (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Defoe and Lennon have always been the answer! Nice to see some appreciation from a Man Utd, Liverpool and especially Arsenal fan for once!
Posted 09:43 24th November 2009
James Terry (Tottenham Hotspur fan) says...
Spurs MUST qualify for the champions league, otherwise we can kiss goodbye to lennon, defoe and modric, and start from square one again.
Posted 14:14 23rd November 2009
Chris Hollington (Arsenal fan) says...
Defoe HAS to play for England up front along side Rooney with Lennon on the right wing. I cant see why Capello hasnt cemented these players in those positions i cant thing of a better combination of attacking power, throw in Gerrard in centre midfield with Barry and Joe Cole on left wing. Defence would have to be Cole on the left with Lescot on the Right, Terry in centre alongside Bridge
Posted 13:14 23rd November 2009
Chris Sansbury (Liverpool fan) says...
Jermaine join Liverpool pleeeeeeease....
Posted 12:49 23rd November 2009
Dave Griffiths (Manchester United fan) says...
the best in-form english striker cant get in to the starting 11 fro England. its a joke. Heskey scored once this weekend whilst defoe got 5, this shows the difference between the pair. Aaron lennon is the answer to our right mid problems, quick, dynamic, good 2 feet, team player, all the right ingredients, and with him setting up a number of goals for defoe this partnership will only help england
Posted 12:44 23rd November 2009