Joe Cole believes former West Ham team-mate Jermain Defoe is the "sharpest striker in the Premiership"

Joe Cole believes former West Ham team-mate Jermain Defoe is the "sharpest striker in the Premiership"...

The former club team-mates joined forces once again in Gothenburg last Wednesday as Defoe made his senior debut in the friendly against Sweden. His performance won many plaudits from commentators and fans alike, and Cole certainly does not feel they are unjustified.

The 22-year-old Chelsea midfielder told The Sun: "Nothing fazes him and I doubt it ever will. He is the sharpest player in the Premiership right now.

"That's a bold statement, but I stand by it. Thierry Henry is a real powerhouse in all areas. But around the goal area no one in this country is better than Jermain at the job he does."

Although wary that it is a little early to judge Defoe's prowess at international level, Cole is convinced that the pacey Tottenham striker has the potential to become a huge star for England.

"He is 21 now and scoring goals on a regular basis for Tottenham. He loved playing for West Ham but was bursting to get that first England cap, which he now has.

"I noticed as soon as training with England began that he looked so sharp, like his game has moved on another level."

During the match Cole was even confident enough in Defoe's abilities to start putting some of his hard-earned cash on the line.

"While I was sitting on the bench in Sweden watching him, I was offering bets of £1, and that's a lot for me to risk, that Jermain would score.

"Not one person was prepared to bet against him because it looked so on the cards. They could all have been a quid better off by now! But I am confident he will go on to score lots and lots of international goals."

Mr Eriksson and the England fans will certainly be hoping he's right.