Source: Daily_Mail
Tottenham star Defoe insists he can be England's pocket rocket in South Africa
Jermain Defoe insists size isn't everything, and he can prove himself as one of the great strikers at this summer's World Cup finals.[LNB]The Tottenham striker believes he must gain international acclaim if he is to earn thetag of the world's best.[LNB]'To get that sort of accolade, you have to prove yourself in a massive tournament like the World Cup,' Defoe told the Evening Standard.[LNB] On target: Defoe scores the first of his two goals in England's friendly clash with the Netherlands last August[LNB]'If you get an opportunity to be the best striker in the world, you won't do anything to jeopardise it. It's a World Cup year, so the situation is perfect.'[LNB]Capello: Currently prefers Wayne Rooney and Emile Heskey up front[LNB]England coach Fabio Capello's first choice front pair seems to be Emile Heskey and Wayne Rooney, but Defoe insists his slight stature - he is 5 ft 6.5 inches tall - should not count against him.[LNB]'If you look at the World Cups down the years, small players have been able to dominate the tournaments,' he said.[LNB]'The Brazil side who won the 1994 World Cup had Bebeto and Romario in attack. In 1990, Italy had Salvatore Schillaci and Roberto Baggio.[LNB]'If you can play, you can play. Barcelona have Xavi and Andres Iniesta in midfield and I think they are both smaller than me. Keeping the ball is the most important thing.'[LNB]Defoe had the perfect start to his international season with two goals for England in their 2-2 friendly draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam last August.[LNB]He then scored England's second goal in a 2-1 friendly win over Slovenia at Wembley in September.[LNB]England play their first match of this World Cup year against Egypt at Wembley on March 3.[LNB] England to face Mexico at Wembley before heading to World Cup finalsVIDEO SPECIAL: England's complete record in the World Cup finals[LNB] [LNB]
