But with Defoe, of course, we don’t know if private conversations have taken place with Roy Hodgson, ruling out the striker’s chances – or if his face just doesn’t fit with he new Spurs manager Tim Sherwood. But one thing is for sure; Jermain Defoe effectively put to bed his international career by what seems to be his own decision during the run-up to what would be his last chance of a World Cup; the pinnacle of all footballers’ dreams.

Of all the transfers we know about so far in the January 2014 transfer window – surely the most perplexing of the lot is Spurs and England striker Jermain Defoe’s decision to join Canadian Major League Soccer side Toronto FC in the run up to the World Cup.

Since the Tottenham’s striker’s strange choice, his odds of making Roy Hodgson’s squad for Brazil have lengthened to 6/1. In other words, he isn’t going unless injuries elsewhere force the England manager’s hand.

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But with Defoe, of course, we don’t know if private conversations have taken place with Roy Hodgson, ruling out the striker’s chances – or if his face just doesn’t fit with he new Spurs manager Tim Sherwood. But one thing is for sure; Jermain Defoe effectively put to bed his international career by what seems to be his own decision during the run-up to what would be his last chance of a World Cup; the pinnacle of all footballers’ dreams.

The 31-year-old will join the Canadian outfit at the end of February – and is eligible to play for Tottenham until then. And he’s played well – scoring against Crystal Palace. He also reckons he’s still in the running for an England squad place – but we know he kind of “has to” say that.

But it still doesn’t explain the move. The ex West Ham striker has agreed a four-year deal. After going to White Hart Lane in 2004 for £7m, Defoe scored 64 goals in 177 appearances for Spurs, during which time he became an England regular. In total, Defoe appeared 55 times for England, finding the back of the net 19 times. Surely, his move means he won’t make 56 caps?