James Maddison may have played alongside Harry Kane but he thinks another Tottenham hero is one of the best natural finishers in Premier League history. The Lilywhites have always posessed one or two clinical goalscorers.
Kane found the back of the net 280 times in 435 games, eclipsing Jimmy Greaves as the club's all-time top scorer in February 2023. He was also just 47 goals shy of Alan Shearer's Premier League goalscoring record before departing for Bayern Munich two summers ago.
The England captain is just one of many tremendously gifted players the club's fans have watched fire home on a regular occasion. Maddison was full of praise for another iconic English striker.
James Maddison hails Jermain Defoe
Jermain Defoe has been nominated for a potential induction into the Premier League's Hall of Fame. Should he be selected by fans to indeed be handed the honour, he'd become the first individual to be inducted having previously played for Spurs.
The pacey forward who hung up his boots aged 39 in March 2022, enjoyed an illustrious career as an English football journeyman. His peak came at White Hart Lane when he bagged 143 goals in 363 games, part of the side that won the League Cup under Harry Redknapp in 2008.
Maddison reacted to a post from the Premier League promoting Defoe's nomination. He wrote on his Instagram story:
"One of the best natural finishers the leave has ever seen imho."
Defoe could score any type of goal and relished working in a two-man attack with a bigger profile to work off. He starred in double acts with Robbie Keane and Peter Crouch, using his instinctive movement and clincalism.
Jermain Defoe.
— Premier League (@premierleague) September 8, 2025
With 162 goals across five different clubs, wherever the instinctive striker went, goals followed.
Voting is now open for the 2025 Premier League Hall of Fame! 🗳️
Spurs could do with Randal Kolo Muani becoming Frank's Defoe
Spurs' issues in front of goal last season were majorly problematic and will need rectifying under Thomas Frank. The Dane has proven he can develop attackers into potent finishers, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa hitting 20 Premier League goals last term.
The jury is out over Dominic Solanke amid injury struggles since arriving in North London last summer. Frank preferred Richarlison over the Englishman at the start of the campaign and the Brazilian initally repaid his faith with a brilliance brace in the season-opening win over Burnley.
Richarlison faltered against Bournemouth, though, and his frustrating display was almost a wake-up call regarding a need for a more reliable number nine. Defoe would have been a dream for Frank because he was so consistent and capable of clicking into gear at any given moment.
Randal Kolo Muani could be the answer given the Frenchman's track record of success in front of goal. The club swooped on deadline day for the 26-year-old after a promising spell on loan at Juventus in the second half of last season yielded 10 goals in 22 games.
READ MORE SPURS NEWS HERE: