PLATT PRAISES UNIQUE DEFOE
Former England midfielder Platt has seen enough of the 19-year-old to justify his comments on the youngster, and has given him the highest praise possible.
Platt is astonished by the ability that Defoe has shown in training, and has compared him with the very best in the world.
"He excites me and I think he is absolutely without weakness," said Platt. "I just can't find one. Every time I think of the future, my mind is drawn back to Defoe. He's unique.
"How many players can I name without a weakness? Not many. Maybe Michael Owen. Maybe Luis Figo. That could be it."
Platt has no doubts that Defoe will one day go on to represent the full side, and believes he can follow in the footsteps of Michael Owen by bursting onto the international scene and establishing himself as an England regular.
"Owen burst into a World Cup squad in 1998. He played and scored. Look at him now," added Platt.
"All Jermain needs to do is improve the strengths he already has. That's what Owen did and that's why he is where he is on the world scene. But Jermain can be a full international, without doubt. He has speed, he can play with both feet and he scores with his head. It's remarkable."
Defoe took the Second Division by storm while on loan at Bournemouth last season, but has largely been used as a substitute by Hammers boss Glenn Roeder.
Defoe takes his place in the Under-21 side that lines up against Holland for the first leg of the European Championship play-off having previously scored a brace against the Dutch in the friendly game in August.
