Jermain Defoe: Sunderland's Duncan Watmore reminds me of Gareth Bale when he was at Spurs

Jermain Defoe - Duncan Watmore 'glides like Gareth Bale'

JERMAIN DEFOE claims Sunderland team-mate Duncan Watmore reminds him of Real Madrid superstar Gareth Bale when he first arrived at Tottenham.

 

Watmore, who signed a new four-and-a-half-year-deal earlier this week at the Stadium of Light, has made a huge impact at Under-21 level for both club and country. 

And has gone onto make six first-team appearances for the Blacks Cats, scoring on his Premier League debut in the 3-1 home defeat to Norwich back in August. 

 

Defoe's two spells at Spurs saw him play alongside Bale for five years, and the 33-year-old reckons Watmore has much in common with the Welshman - even hailing him as the 'future' of Sunderland. 

"In a funny way he reminds me of Gareth. When he came on the scene at Tottenham, he used to just get the ball and glide," the former England international told BBC Newcastle. 

 

"He's such a nice boy, I don't think he's bothered about signing new contracts and stuff, all he wants to do is play football and do well for the club.

"If he can go on to do what Gareth has done then he'll be fantastic. He's the future of this club."

 

Defoe scoring Sunderland's winning goal in the 1-0 win against Crystal Palace