Jermain Defoe has backed Sunderland’s young strike duo Joel Asoro and Josh Maja to be the ‘future of the club’.
The Black Cats may be fighting a relegation battle at the bottom of the Championship, but the form of the younger players who have broken into the first team has been a real plus on Wearside.
Asoro and Maja have both scored their first league goals this season, the former scoring the winner in Sunderland’s 1-0 win over Hull City last weekend.
There aren’t many who know more about putting the ball into the back of the net than Defoe, whose goals on Wearside were vital for the Black Cats.
He watched both players come through the ranks at the Stadium of Light, and an in interview with safc.com, the Bournemouth striker revealed his admiration for the pair.
Joel Asoro, Josh Maja and Jermain Defoe (inset)
“I remember playing with them both for the first time when we went to France for pre-season,” he said.
“It only takes me five minutes in training to work out a player and I thought ‘yeah, these boys have got a bit and they can play’.
“They really impressed me and I thought they are going to be the future of the club, so I wanted them to go on and do big things and hopefully any advice I gave them helped.
“I’m not surprised to see them doing what they’re doing because at some point I thought they would get an opportunity, and, if they were given a run of games, that they would do well.
Making the step up into the first team is never easy, but Sunderland’s position at the bottom of the Championship could have increased the pressure on the Black Cats’ young guns.
Josh Maja (R) and Joel Asoro (Image: Sunderland AFC)
But Defoe says the fact they have stepped up to the mark in the current situation is a credit to them both.
“Like I said, they impressed me when they trained with the first team so it was only a matter of time before they would be involved, but the current situation isn’t easy and they are still very young, so the fact they’re performing is a credit to them,” he added.
“There are big shoes to fill at that football club when it comes to scoring goals, but when you’re a young forward and you see a goalscorer or a striker leave, you’re rubbing your hands with glee, so in a funny sort of way they’ll have been buzzing to see players depart.
“This is their time to stake their claim and be selfish.”
Defoe focused on the qualities of each striker in turn - this is what he said:
Defoe on Josh Maja
Josh Maja of Sunderland (C) shoots at goal (Image: Sunderland AFC)
“When you’re young there’s a lot of pressure at any club, but I speak to the lads at Bournemouth and tell them about the Stadium of Light and why it’s such an amazing place to play football.
“For a young lad to come off the bench and score a winner – after people have waited that long for a win – is special, and Josh will never forget that moment no matter what he goes on to do.
“Josh is a quick thinker and if you’re that fast upstairs you don’t need anything else.
“When he trained with the first team he showed such great awareness – he knew when to pass it, had a great touch – and although he’s not got electric pace, he’s two steps ahead of everyone which means he’s got an immediate advantage.”
“Just look at (Andrea) Pirlo, has anyone ever seen him sprint? No, but he doesn’t lose the ball. The gift Josh has is rare and if he builds on it, the sky’s the limit.”
Defoe on Joel Asoro
Joel Asoro (Image: Sunderland AFC)
“Joel, on the other hand, that boy can run! If I was him I’d be watching videos and footage of all different kinds of strikers, studying their movement and finishing.
“I used to watch Ian Wright’s goals on video every single night when I was younger and I can still pause every goal he scores and tell you how he’s going to celebrate – I was doing it the other day and he scored 128 league goals for Arsenal!”
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“That’s what these young boys need to do because it helps you learn the game and understand the importance of movement, being clever.
“I’d be obsessed with it and how it can improve your game because he’s quick already, but now he has to learn to become clever in how he uses it because that’s when you become a player whose team-mates know that one chance leads to a goal.
“He did that on the weekend and it was an unbelievable finish. He’s been waiting for that goal and he can properly kick on now, because let’s be honest there’s no better football club to score goals for.”