"Can we understand Jermain Defoe's selection?" Legendary Tottenham Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe (43) has sparked controversy by including Aaron Lennon (38) in his best XI instead of Son Heung-min (33, Tottenham). Among fans and experts, reactions are sharply divided between 'it can be understood' and 'it is completely incomprehensible.'

'TBR Football' reported on the 19th (Korean time) that "Jermain Defoe recently made a controversial decision in an interview with 'ESPN' by comparing his generation with the current Tottenham players. He included Aaron Lennon in his best XI, excluding Son Heung-min."

Previously, ESPN had a session on the 14th comparing Tottenham from the 2010s and Tottenham in 2025 in an interview with Defoe. Defoe formed his best XI around the players he played with, and only Mickey van de Ven was included among current Tottenham players.

In the 4-3-3 formation selected by Defoe, the attacking front consisted of Gareth Bale, himself (Defoe), and Aaron Lennon. In the midfield were Wilson Palacios, Luka Modric, and Niko Kranjčar, while the back four consisted of Benoît Assou-Ekotto, Ledley King, van de Ven, and Kyle Walker. The goal was guarded by Heurelho Gomes.

Since Defoe's selection was revealed, opinions among fans and experts have been divided.

Defoe explained the reason for selecting Lennon: "Lennon was a player who helped me a lot when we played together. He had tremendous speed and exceptional ability to break down the flanks. We showed great chemistry together."

In response, some fans said, "Lennon's quick breaks and crossing ability were impressive, and he had good chemistry with Defoe. If Defoe selected his best XI based on his experience, it can be understood," showing a positive reaction.

However, many fans and experts hold the stance that it is 'an incomprehensible decision.'

Tottenham-focused media 'Spurs Web' stated, "It can be understood that Defoe showed favoritism towards players he played with. However, it is quite puzzling that he chose Lennon over Son Heung-min, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the club's history," taking a critical stance.

The biggest reason why Defoe's selection has become controversial is due to objective records.

Son Heung-min has established himself as one of Tottenham's all-time leading scorers, recording 173 goals and 95 assists over 448 matches. During the 2021-2022 season, he scored 23 goals without any penalties, becoming the Premier League's top scorer and is currently leading the team as captain.

In contrast, Lennon scored 30 goals and provided 76 assists in 364 matches for Tottenham. While he had strength in his ability to break through using his speed, it's a fact that he cannot be compared to Son Heung-min in terms of scoring ability and decisiveness.

'TBR Football' pointed out that "It is difficult to assess Lennon as superior to Son Heung-min. Even Son Heung-min, who is not in optimal condition this season, greatly exceeds the numbers Lennon recorded."

There is also the opinion that Defoe's decision was not solely based on personal preference.

Tottenham is currently struggling, having fallen to 14th place in the league. They were eliminated early from both the FA Cup and the Carabao Cup, failing to meet fans' expectations.

On the other hand, the Tottenham team selected by Defoe from the 2010-2011 season experienced one of the most successful moments in the club's history, reaching the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. It is likely that the nostalgia for players from their prime years influenced Defoe's selection.

Some football experts analyzed Defoe's selection as an "emotional decision that favored past teammates over current Tottenham players."

'TBR Football' reported that "Defoe's exclusion of Son Heung-min may be because he is disappointed with the current performance and form of Tottenham. He seems to have little expectation for the current players of Tottenham."

Although Jermain Defoe's selection has caused controversy among fans, the fact remains that Son Heung-min is one of the greatest players in Tottenham's history. His accomplishments and consistent performances will be remembered for a long time.

Ultimately, Defoe's choice likely reflects a combination of personal experiences and emotions, and given the objective statistics and records, the decision to exclude Son Heung-min is widely seen as lacking persuasion.

Considering the current struggling situation of Tottenham and nostalgia for past players, some voices suggest that Defoe's selection is not entirely incomprehensible.

Amidst the controversy, Son Heung-min remains an iconic player for Tottenham and is likely to maintain that status in the future.

[OSEN]