"If you play that badly for England you HAVE to accept the criticism!" ⚽ Jermain Defoe | Up Front
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Published 2024-07-05
Tottenham favourite Jermain Defoe is one of the top 10 goal scorers in Premier League history and has represented England 57 times, featuring and scoring in major tournaments, before crowning his illustrious career by helping Rangers to bring the Scottish title back to Ibrox for the first time in a decade.
Jermain sits down with Simon to talk about his England career and give his honest opinion on the current England squad, focusing on their performances at the Euros and the criticism they’ve faced. He also opens up about his special relationship with young Sunderland fan Bradley Lowery before discussing his future in the game.
Despite his illustrious career and his experience as a coach in the Tottenham academy, Jermain has struggled to enter the world of management, experiencing resistance and rejection along the way. He joins the show to discuss his future prospects and the difficult journey black former players experience when swapping the pitch for the dugout.
Join Simon for this insightful conversation with Jermain Defoe.
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00:00 Introduction to Jermain Defoe
01:01 Jermain’s journey to becoming a footballer
04:57 Jermain’s England career
9:55 England under Gareth Southgate / Euro 2024
18:39 England players reaction to the criticism
24:26 What is success for England in Euro 2024
26:26 Bradley Lowery
34:56 Looking back at his career
37:51 What’s next for Jermain?
39:25 The lack of opportunities for black former players experience in management
50:22 The perception of Jermain Defoe
All Comments (21)
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Defoe is an all round class act.
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As a gooner, I can happily say Defo is one of the best Strikers I've ever seen in the prem
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Simon admiration for Jermaine shows. It’s like a father talking to his son about taking opportunities and never giving up.
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Simon showed Jermain great respect and allowed him to feel confident in the now and future. Brilliant watch and insight into Jermain’s character
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Possibly one of the best spoken footballers I've listened to in an interview. I had tears rolling down my face listening to Jermaine talking about Bradley. Good interview. 👍
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As a Sunderland fan i NEVER expected this guy to leave such a legacy up here,absolute legend!
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What a great example of being a good man and human. Hard working , humble, confident and selfless. The attributes we all wish we had and when no ones around.
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Defoe was a real player , great striker but more importantly I've just learnt he's also a well centred great man and I personally hope he's given the opportunity he deserves
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What an interview and hope we see Defoe get to where he wants to go 🤞🏼 One of my favourite Spurs players of all time
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This is the first time I have watched Simon do anything like this. I must say that I'm very impressed at the way he brought out the character of Jermaine. He not only put over what made him who he is but why. He was not only a brilliant footballer but a deep thinker on life and the game. I know the hard work he put into the game, and I am sure someone someday will give him the opportunity to coach or manage. I am certain that if he gets the chance he will make a success of it.
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Simon sat there denying things are harder for black coaches then immediately proceeding to pedal stereotypes about a man sat there in all black and basic adidas trainers is tone deaf. Jermaine Defoe only ever comes across as a genuine and brilliant bloke. Love to see him do well.
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Top player.....even better person! This from a Celtic man.....pure class act.
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Really enjoyed this one - great guy and unbelievable striker, felt so sorry for him with England I was always crying out for him to play more
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I’ve never seen Simon not challenge someone. But that’s when you’ve got to hand it to Jermaine. He didn’t stutter, there were no urms, he answered everything in a very concise manner. He obviously comes from a good background.
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As a Gooner I so badly wanted you to come to Arsenal and that goes back to when you were at Bournemouth one of our best strikers without a doubt,Jermaine that was astounding what you did for Bradley and his family,you were that lad’s guardian angel it was a wonderful gift you gave that boy it’s called TIME,something so simple and yet it’s more important than money & material things if you are not proud of what you did then you should be,God Bless to you and your family and of course to Bradley’s family,Rest In Peace little man ❤️❤️👍👍👏👏🙏🙏
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Haven’t watched this yet but what Defoe did for Bradley Lowery and his family deserves so much respect!
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I really liked Defoe as a player, and never understood why one club after another was ready to let him go so easily. And what he did for the little kid Bradley made me really like him as a man. Jermain Defoe is a real class act. I wish him all the best.
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Loved Defoe as a player . Also what he did for the little kid Bradley was real class. England players can’t take criticism because they’ve been bigged up so much it’s hard for them to take now . Anyone can see how bad we’ve been playing but they won’t accept it
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Think this is probably my favourite interview Simon has done. Jermaine is a great guy. Fantastic player, brilliant attitude, and the stuff about Bradley is really special. Hope he gets his opportinity.
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As a Sunderland fan I didn’t think I could love Jermain more for what he did on and off the pitch, would’ve loved you as manager too. But especially what you did for Bradley was truly special. Legend.
