Honestly, as good as Defoe is, i just don't think he fits how we need to play anymore. 2 years ago when Defoe had his big season, same year Bale really broke out and we made the Champs league, we were catching people on the counter and using Bale, Lennon, and Defoe to shred opposing teams with pace. The EPL is too smart a league to let that happen again; now teams aren't coming up the field against us as much, they're having their backs sit further back to defend against that.
And as much as I think Defoe is and can be a world-class striker, he's incapable of making his own shot, and he's too small and lacks the vision to play well in traffic. I think the best thing that can happen at this point is that he gets off to a good start for us this year and then we sell him on in January to make room and funds for another striker. It really does pain me to say it, cuz Defoe is a class player and was a huge part of our first CL run... but he just doesn't fit our gameplan anymore.