Jermain Defoe has to stay in the Premier League

Veteran striker Jermain Defoe has scored 14 this season in the Premier League despite Sunderland being relegated

There have been very few Sunderland players who have come out of this season with any credit.

However, veteran striker Jermain Defoe is one of those select few. Without his goals this season the Black Cats would have been relegated before the Christmas tree was even down.

With the north east clubs relegation complete, it seems almost certain that Jermain Defoe will now leave the club. Even at 34-years left there is still life left in the old dog yet.

The diminutive striker has somehow managed to score 14 goals this season in a truly terrible Sunderland team. Last season the England international scored 15 goals to help keep the Black Cats in the Premier League.

Defoe the only what that scores goals at Sunderland

Unfortunately for Sunderland, Jermain Defoe has been going through a dry patch in front of goal of late. He has gone ten Premier League games without a goal, which is not rare for a striker, especially one in a poor team.

The problem for Sunderland is that Defoe is the only one that seems to be able to score a goal for them. The Black Cats goal tally for the campaign of just 26 Premier League goals is the joint worst alongside north east rivals Middlesbrough, who currently sit second from bottom in the table.

Defoe is reliable in front of goal. However, he suffered from a lack of assistance from the rest of the team. The striker must have sore arms, as he has been carrying the team in terms of goals for too so long.

Interest from Premier League clubs

For me, it would be a crime for Defoe’s talents to waste away in the Championship. He has to stay in the Premier League and it looks like a couple of his former clubs agree. According to Sky Sports, both West Ham and Bournemouth are interested in signing the striker this summer.

West Ham is where Defoe started his career and he also enjoyed a loan spell at Bournemouth during his time at West Ham. The Hammers were linked with a move for the striker in the January transfer window.

However, Sunderland were unlikely to sell the only player that gave them hope of staying in the top-flight, which was highly understandable.

West Ham have been on the lookout for a striker since last summer. They signed Italian striker Simone Zaza on loan, but will ll know how that ended. Defoe could be the answer to the Hammers prayers.

I am sure a return to his former club would interest the striker. Defoe has been very loyal to Sunderland considering their circumstances in the last few years.

At the moment, though, according to the bookmakers, Bournemouth are favourites to sign the striker this summer at odds of 8/13.

Defoe will still get goals in the Premier League

Jermain Defoe will still get goals next season in the Premier League at whatever club he joins. He has looked after himself really well and has looked sharp for most of the season. His performances have even led to an England recall for the striker, something that had looked unlikely in the past.

The striker has been relatively prolific wherever he has gone in the Premier League throughout his career. He is a striker that can score a goal out of nothing, but he is also a poacher. In a decent team, he could once again break into double figures given decent service next season.

Jermain Defoe is a good example for all budding footballers of how to conduct yourself both on and off the pitch. The striker’s displays this season have earned him to the right to stay to be playing Premier League football next season, even if his current club will not be.

Where will Jermain Defoe be plying his trade next season?