I was right to leave Spurs for Pompey, insists England starter Jermain Defoe
Portsmouth striker Jermain Defoe believes that his England start against the USA proves that he was right to quit Spurs for Fratton Park.
The striker has gained a new lease of life since leaving White Hart Lane for the south coast in January and was rewarded with a place in the starting XI by England head coach Fabio Capello.
No substitute: Jermain Defoe (left) gets his shot off ahead of Oguchi Onyewu
Although he missed a close-range chance Defoe admitted he was delighted that the England manager had faith in him.
He said: "The manager told me to try and get in behind defenders - just like I now do for my club.
"I felt so much sharper. When you are playing regularly you feel stronger. I feel fit and I feel so much better."
Defoe struggled to cement a regular place in the Tottenham first team after finding himself behind Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane in the striking pecking order.
