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“He’s DANGEROUS player i’ve play against”- Jermain Defoe Stuns Fans with Surprise Pick for Smartest Teammate – Spurs Let Him Go for Just £15m
Jermain Defoe Names Michael Carrick as the Smartest Footballer He’s Ever Played With
Over the course of his illustrious career, Jermain Defoe has shared the pitch with some of football’s greatest minds. From Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard to Luka Modrić, Defoe has had the privilege of playing alongside top-tier talent.
But when it comes to football intelligence, one name stands above the rest in Defoe’s eyes—Michael Carrick.
Despite being surrounded by numerous elite players throughout his time at clubs like West Ham, Tottenham, and in the England squad, Defoe singled out Carrick as the player with the highest football IQ he’s ever encountered. The former striker described Carrick as having a “footballing brain that was unmatched,” a sentiment recently echoed by Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes.
Building the Ultimate Player
Asked to create his ideal footballer using traits from former teammates, Defoe reflected on the talent he’s worked with. At West Ham, he played alongside future stars like Rio Ferdinand and Joe Cole—whom Harry Redknapp once claimed could have rivalled Lionel Messi. At Spurs, he lined up with the likes of Robbie Keane, Dimitar Berbatov, Gareth Bale, Modrić, and Carrick—before the latter moved to Manchester United in a £15 million transfer.
Despite the array of footballing brilliance Defoe encountered during his career, it was Carrick’s subtle intelligence and control of the game that left the biggest impression.
A Career Shared Across Multiple Teams
Interestingly, Defoe and Carrick’s careers were closely intertwined. The duo played together at West Ham, Tottenham, and across multiple England levels, from the U21s to the senior team. At one point, Defoe even thought he was close to joining Carrick at Manchester United, though a transfer never materialized.
While the pair didn’t produce headline-grabbing stats together—Carrick only assisted Defoe once, and their on-pitch partnership wasn’t statistically outstanding—the respect between them is evident. Defoe’s admiration for Carrick goes beyond numbers, focusing on the midfielder’s game intelligence and tactical mastery.
Even if their connection didn’t translate into prolific performances, Defoe maintains that Carrick’s understanding of the game set him apart from every other teammate.
