Lee Johnson has addressed the Defoe rumour after the player’s interview on Talksport earlier today. Johnson has said that ‘at the moment, it’s not there’ and hasn't revealed too much... so there is still ample room to speculate over a potential move. Johnson was again full of praise for Defoe as in previous interviews, but with numerous suitors after the 39 year old, the club might have to act sooner rather than later. Regarding Patrick Roberts, Johnson was more reticent, admitting that he could not say anything about the move - 'He's Manchester City's player'.
POTENTIAL MOVE
“The fan base is all over it. Obviously he is 39 years of age and that can bring us a wealth of experience. At the same time, a lot of things would have to happen for any potential move to happen. And a lot people would have to be happy with it for whatever reason. At the moment, it’s not there.”
DIFFICULT
“I think it’s a difficult question because there’s so many elements that go into that. You've got the football side, you’ve got the condition of the player in terms of game time, you’ve got the injury record. Everything has to be looked at it in fine detail.’’
CONNECTION
“Probably one of the biggest things is the connection between coach and player as well. I think that becomes really important. I would always want, talking about Danny Batth and players that we’ve brought in, I’ve always felt that connection. Of course they are signing for the football club first and foremost but the coach is picking the team and that becomes really important.’’
FANTASTIC IDEA
“To answer the question, of course in principle it sounds like a fantastic idea but at the same time there’s so many intricacies that have to be right for all parties to be able to be comfortable and happy with any particular signing.”
INFLUENCE
“I accept all the positives of any player of that ilk. I’m never sure on the commercial effect of a signing like that and I never think you should make a signing based on commercial. I don’t agree with that personally. I think influence is absolutely immense. To be able to bring a senior player in, as highly decorated in terms of career. Anybody, and I’m removing that from Jermain, that’s been there and done it and got that experience, of course young players will be bright eyed and listen to anyone whether that’s Danny Batth or the likes of Jermain Defoe and you see it all over the world. Where top players go into different levels and that can have an instant impact.”
