• Tottenham manager was critical of the striker in spring
• Defoe and Matthew Upson expected to play against Germany
Jermain Defoe may have been the toast of the nation after scoring the goal that eased England into the knockout phase of the World Cup but his club manager, Harry Redknapp, has been less forthcoming with praise for the striker.
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The Tottenham Hotspur forward reacted with frustration when asked about Redknapp’s public criticism of his form delivered as the domestic season reached its conclusion. Defoe scored only twice in his last 12 club appearances – he managed 30 for club and country all term – which prompted the Spurs manager to substitute him 11 times in the last 13 matches.
Redknapp said at the time that he had taken the 27-year-old off “because I wanted more from him than he was giving … His form hasn’t been as good lately. He has not played well.” Defoe disagreed: “I don’t think he was fair, to be honest,” Defoe said. “For example, the Chelsea game I played [won 2-1 in mid-April] was probably my best game all season. Even if I didn’t score against Manchester City, my movement was good and I felt sharp. I was working hard for the team.”
Defoe received a text wishing him luck ahead of the Group C match against Slovenia from his club chairman, Daniel Levy, and another of congratulations after he scored the only goal of the game. Asked whether Redknapp had been in touch, he said: “No. But I have played with Harry almost all my career and he has always
