Zamora is your most gifted No9, says Fulham chief Jol
FULHAM manager Martin Jol has backed striker Bobby Zamora to win a place in England’s squad for Euro 2012, calling him the country’s most gifted No9.
Zamora was given a chance to impress against Sweden on Tuesday and put in a mixed performance, leading the line well but lacking ruthlessness in front of goal.
The 30-year-old faces stiff competition for a place in Fabio Capello’s final 23-man squad, notably from Chelsea youngster Daniel Sturridge and Liverpool’s Andy Carrol.
But, speaking ahead of tomorrow’s Premier League trip to Sunderland, Jol said: “They are all different. Darren Bent is different, Jermain Defoe is different, Wayne Rooney certainly is different. I don’t feel they have a lot of players who are a real No9 who can hold up the ball.
“If he [Capello] wants to play with a goalscorer, then Bent is probably the best in England, he’s certainly different to Bobby. But if you play Bobby with offensive midfield players he can be very useful.
“He is a No9 who will hold the ball up all the time. His first touch is very good, he’s good in the box, he’s a link-up No9. Peter Crouch is probably similar. He’s better than people give him credit for at holding the ball. But Bobby is probably the most gifted.”
Jol is without full-back Stephen Kelly for the Sunderland game after he was injured on international duty.