With Jermaine Defoe looking increasingly likely to sign, we weigh up the pros and cons of the potential transfer....
PRO
It is testament to his talent, hard work and attitude that Defoe still wishes to go on playing and he obviously feels as if he has a lot to contribute still at 39. His attitude and experience would be an incredible bonus for our young side. Imagine the lift it would give the dressing room – or imagine if we were drawing 1-1 (I know it’s difficult) and we could turn to Defoe and Stewart up top. As one commentator once put it – where there is Defoe there is hope. To be able to call on a player of his ability in key games would be brilliant. Throughout his career, managers and players alike have commented not only on his ability, but also stressed how vital his professionalism and influence is in the dressing room.
CON
Defoe, after all, is 39. Our new recruitment model seems to be based on buying young players, or trusting in our own young players rather than signing players at the end of their career. We are not signing the same Jermain Defoe who was a Premier League top goalscorer for us. We are signing a forward desperately short of game time, having not played since November, when what is most desperate is to sort out our central midfield. Despite being a key figure for Rangers in previous years, who knows how long he might take some time to get up to speed? He need a forward who can hit the ground running. If we sign Defoe and don’t sign a midfielder, it could be money wasted. If we fail to go up with Defoe, will we be mad at the club's short-termism - plenty of loans expire in the summer. Defoe gets a last pay day and retires and we need to recruit again.
PRO
At every level of the game Defoe guarantees goals. His movement and finishing ability that have made him a Premier League legend is something that can never go away, despite age. Whilst he might not have played too much this season, since he has been at Rangers he has scored eight goals in 20 in the 2018/19 season, 17 in 32 in 2019/20 and added another 7 in the 2020/21 season where Rangers made it 55 League Titles. All this with competition in a good team – it is only this season where he has been significantly absent from the starting eleven. What also bodes well is that he was considered ‘old’ when he last joined us and still excelled at our club. After leaving, he joined Bournemouth where his game time was limited and then went on to join Rangers where he resurrected his career. Defoe’s longevity means that he could still play a part in a promotion push and his standards and ability would rub off on others, just as it has at Rangers.
CON
Do we need this transfer? After all we find ourselves in a good position, do we have to rely on a messiah figure to return to get us up? Is our squad so bereft of confidence that we need a 39-year-old striker to come back, who might not even have a place in the side due to us having the league’s top scorer? Perhaps we would be better recruiting as we have done and trusting in the model that has, despite recent performances, got us in a strong position to go up this season. The transfer is a one of nostalgia simply, a nostalgia for better times. Some might expect that if Defoe signs we will go up through sheer will and spirit alone. Defoe has a great standing at our club and no one will ever forget his time here. But if we sign Defoe and don’t go up, what then?
CONCLUSION
In the interest of playing devil’s advocate I have attempted to both sides the potential transfer, trying desperately to come up with negative aspects of a transfer I really want to see happen. Whether it is rose tinted glasses or not will remain to be seen, but everything is aligning for the prospect of an emotional return which could really suit both parties. I firmly believe that Defoe, in any capacity, would be a good signing. I really feel the team would get a huge lift and the supporters too – if he signs the attendance might rise and the atmosphere could be boosted at a crucial moment in our season. Having Defoe in and amongst our team could raise standards and confidence and with his desire to go on coaching, it could mean that at the end of the season, he might be willing to continue at the club in a different role. IF we have the financial means, this looks like an excellent potential transfer on paper. Kyril, bring him home.
