In 2009, Jermain Defoe faced an important decision about his future. After leaving Tottenham Hotspur in 2008 to join Portsmouth, Defoe spent a year with the club, playing 36 games and scoring 18 goals with 5 assists. Despite having a successful year, the arrival of manager Harry Redknapp at Tottenham led Defoe to reconsider his position at Portsmouth. When Redknapp, the manager who had brought him to the south coast, left to take over at Spurs in October 2008, Defoe began to feel unsettled at Fratton Park. He wanted to reunite with his former boss, and by January 2009, Defoe was given the opportunity to return to Tottenham. This time, however, there was another option on the table, one that could have seen Defoe join one of Europe’s biggest clubs, Juventus.
Defoe had always admired the legendary Italian forward Alessandro Del Piero. Growing up watching Del Piero play, Defoe considered him an iconic figure in football. When his agent informed him that Juventus was interested in signing him in 2009, Defoe seriously considered the move. The idea of playing alongside Del Piero and other world-class players at Juventus intrigued Defoe. He knew that joining a club with such a rich history could elevate his career, and he was tempted by the prospect of playing in Italy’s Serie A. Defoe described the moment when he got the call about Juventus’ interest, reflecting on the possibility of playing alongside one of his idols.
However, after much thought, Defoe chose to return to Tottenham instead. He believed that returning to a familiar environment with a manager he trusted in Redknapp was the right move for him at the time. While Juventus offered the allure of playing with legends like Del Piero, Defoe decided that he would rather continue his career in the Premier League with Spurs. His second stint at Tottenham turned out to be even more successful than his first. He spent over five years with the club, becoming a key player and one of the top scorers in the history of the Premier League. In total, Defoe played 363 times for Spurs and scored 143 goals, making a significant impact on the club and its supporters.
Despite his success at Tottenham, Defoe often reflected on what could have been had he chosen to play for Juventus. The Italian club was a powerhouse in 2009, boasting some of the best players in the world. Gianluigi Buffon, one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time, was between the posts for Juventus, and Pavel Nedved, a former Ballon d’Or winner, was still part of the team. Del Piero, of course, was still at the heart of the attack. Juventus had not won the Serie A title for a few years, but they were building a squad that would go on to dominate Italian football for the next decade. Had Defoe chosen to join the club, he could have been part of a team that would win multiple Serie A titles. From 2012 onwards, Juventus enjoyed a remarkable run, winning nine consecutive league titles, a feat that could have included Defoe had he made a different decision.
Still, despite the potential for more trophies, Defoe’s decision to stay in the Premier League and return to Tottenham was not a regret for him. He became one of the top scorers in Premier League history, with 163 goals to his name. While he may not have won as many trophies as some of his peers in Italy, Defoe’s success in England solidified his place as one of the greats of the game. The decision to return to Tottenham allowed him to play in the Champions League with the club and compete at the top level of English football.
The 2009 season turned out to be a turning point for Tottenham, as they established themselves as a top-four team in the Premier League. With Defoe leading the line, Spurs competed regularly in the Champions League and finished near the top of the league. Playing alongside players like Gareth Bale, Luka Modrić, and Rafael van der Vaart, Defoe enjoyed success in the Premier League and European competitions. In hindsight, Defoe’s choice to return to Tottenham allowed him to play for a club on the rise, one that was challenging for the biggest honors in English football.
While Defoe might have missed out on the chance to play for Juventus, he made the most of his time at Tottenham. He became a fan favorite, known for his clinical finishing and relentless work ethic. Over the course of his two spells at the club, Defoe established himself as one of Tottenham’s greatest-ever strikers. He also became a prominent figure in the England national team, earning 57 caps and scoring 20 goals.
In the years following his return to Spurs, Defoe continued to be a key player for the team. He played an important role in helping Tottenham qualify for the Champions League and consistently challenge for a top-four finish in the Premier League. His goalscoring ability made him one of the most feared strikers in the league, and his experience proved invaluable for a Tottenham side that was looking to make its mark on European football.
Despite the success he enjoyed at Tottenham, Defoe often looked back at the opportunity to join Juventus with a sense of curiosity. He wondered what his career could have been like if he had chosen to play in Italy, alongside some of the game’s greatest players. But ultimately, Defoe’s time at Tottenham was a defining period of his career. He became a club legend and helped establish Tottenham as one of the top clubs in England. Defoe’s decision to stay in the Premier League and return to Tottenham may have been the right one for him, even if it meant turning down a move to one of the most successful clubs in Europe.
In the end, Defoe’s career was marked by his goalscoring prowess and his contributions to the clubs he played for. He may never know what could have happened had he chosen to move to Juventus, but his legacy as a Premier League legend is secure. Defoe will always be remembered as one of the finest strikers to have graced English football, and his time at Tottenham will be cherished by fans for years to come. As for the decision to stay in England and not join Juventus, it is one that Defoe seems to have made peace with. His career in the Premier League was nothing short of remarkable, and his time at Tottenham will forever be a part of the club’s history.
