Jamie Vardy is a good player, a very good player.
But, he is not a great player.
For his sake and for Leicester City's he should keep his feet on the ground, recognise his limitations and commit himself to the Club for the long term.
His pace is phenomenal, his first touch is good, his enthusiasm, work rate and controlled aggression are all top-drawer. His unerring finishing this season has been unparalleled in English football.
But he is limited.
He has become a Big Fish in the smallish pond that is Leicester City. So much so, that Ranieri has built his team around him and structured his game plan to deliver to Vardy's strengths. In contrast to most of last season, Vardy has been used as an out-and-out striker, playing off the shoulder of the last defender, using his pace to exploit the gaps behind the opposition back line. He has excelled in this role and the team has reaped huge benefits from his performances. Long may it continue.
There is an argument that England should pick the players in form, those currently at the top of their game and there can be no doubting Vardy is in the form of his life. But England do not play like Leicester City and therein lies the problem. England - indeed like most top Premier League and European clubs - play a measured, possession based game. The ball is passed methodically around whilst openings are eked out. This requires a forward line that is constantly moving seeking out space, one with an excellent first touch operating in tight areas and with the vision to play quick, short one-twos in and around the box. This simply is not Vardy's game.
Leicester play excellent, quick, counter-attacking football and Vardy is the ideal front man to make that work.
If he took a big money move to Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Spurs would they adapt their way of playing to suit his talents? Clearly not and nor should they. They have an abundance of talent at their disposal and need to develop a footballing style that suits the majority.
Jamie Vardy is a simple footballer and Leicester City play a simple, effective and attractive style that maximises his abilities and benefits both club and player.
Leicester should reject all attempts to prise him away and Vardy should accept that the grass is definitely not greener on the other side of the fence.
Vardy - not good enough...
posted on 30/11/15
comment by For Fox Sake (U4263)
posted 4 minutes ago
Whitewall - allegedly he is currently on £40K a week with 2.5 years left on his contract. To increase that to £100K would work out at about another £3m a year.
To secure his services for the next 3 years for a total of £9m would represent better value for us than it would for another team to pay £30m for him - for all the reasons outlined in the OP.
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It would make sense at this moment for Leicester to try and tie him down.
How old is he (I think its 28, when is he 29?) and how long left n his current contract?
Also the problem with Leicester paying him £100k a week is your wage structure I imagine even at £40k he is one of your higher earners, when players start getting twice what their team mates earn it could cause issues if that players form dips (although this isnt just Leicesters problem)
posted on 30/11/15
40k a week is incredible money when compared to the average wage.
The money in football is just bonkers.
posted on 30/11/15
BlaBla - indeed it is. But as my old Economics lecturer used to say - "it's all a question of supply and demand".
He is the currently the only person in the world to score in 11 consecutive Premier League matches and if you are the best in the world at something you are likely to receive substantial rewards.
Doesn't make it right necessarily, just an explanation.
posted on 30/11/15
What a fantastic post. I agree with everything the OP has said, so I don't know why I'm responding, other than to say yes I agree!!
posted on 30/11/15
I was also going to say that it was a great article but, once again, Mersey has rather boringly said it already.
posted on 30/11/15
I don't think he'll go anywhere, certainly not before the Summer.
You could just see him at somewhere like Man Utd or Arsenal though ( surely desperate for more players ) but would they destroy him like so many big moves do?
posted on 30/11/15
I just don't see Vardy fitting in anywhere in the "big" clubs other than potentially Arsenal or Liverpool.
Arsenal already have 2 Jamie Vardy type players in Walcott and the Ox, so pointless there, and whilst Vardy fits beautifully in the Klopp's high press mentality, are they really looking to remove Sturridge and Benteke to slot him in??
The only risk I see is Liverpool, as they seem to enjoy spending big money for average players. Although Vardy is disadvantaged as he doesn't play for Southampton!
posted on 30/11/15
Agree with the title - he's not good enough for Liverpool, Arsenal, Man U, Madrid or anybody else he's been linked with. So no point in any of them putting an offer for him.
We'll just have to bite the bullet and put up with him for the forseeable future!
posted on 30/11/15
comment by Jay. (U16498)
posted 4 hours, 47 minutes ago
It's a bit of an odd one really. First time in a long time we've seen a player who is obviously playing well that isn't really being linked to the big teams, and everyone just happy to accept that he's playing where it best suits him, and probably wouldn't work as well elsewhere.
While he might not work in the same way for England, I don't think there's any reason not to take him to the Euros if his form continues, even if it's just for other options.
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I'd have him at the Euros, barring any unforeseen circumstances. We can go on all day about "international class", but due to the size of this tournament there is a good chance that England will be in a group with at least one team, and maybe two, weaker than those Vardy faces on a weekly basis. There is no reason to believe he wouldn't be a good option in the group games at least.
posted on 30/11/15
comment by Rauben_Hoody (U6374)
posted 5 hours, 42 minutes ago
comment by arrothefoxinoz (U8567)
posted 4 minutes ago
Gary Neville said his touch is actually really good and people don't give him enough credit for it.
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I like to read that if you have a link arro.
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It was on MNF last monday.