The difference is with Beckham and Owen they are proven and there is not a lot of competition at left back, I would still take Defoe as think he is defo the obvious replacement for Owen if unfit or injured, but there is competition there.

I think Defoe is quite a natural player and maybe not one who needs lots of games to be match sharp, although he has not played lots of games he is still training and coming on as sub so maybe his fresh legs could be vital in the World Cup, espeically coming off the bench when England have struggled in the past.