MY INCREDIBLE ‘LITTLE RASCAL’
Don’t you ever change, Rodgers tells ton-up Vardy
BRENDAN RODGERS admits new centurion Jamie Vardy is a “little rascal” but insists he will never try to curb the striker’s spirit.
Vardy is fresh from scoring a brace against Crystal Palace to make it 101 Premier League goals.
That is a phenomenal return for the one-time factory worker, who only made his top-flight debut in 2014, aged 27.
This evening, at the Emirates, could be a box-office shoot-out.
In the blue corner there is Vardy, leading the Premier League scoring charts this season with 21 goals.
In the red corner, you can find Arsenal’s Pierre-emerick Aubameyang, who has 19.
Leicester manager Rodgers expects no let up from Vardy, 33, despite reaching the milestone.
But he is grateful the former party animal is a reformed character now after an unorthodox route to the top. Rodgers said: “Jamie didn’t have the perfect life.
“There were struggles in his teens, and then leaving school and everything else.
“Everyone knows he is a little rascal at times.
“In his early
20s I’m sure he was a bit more of a handful at a non-league level.
“He is now
it very settled as a father and has a great life outside football.
“I probably got him when he has tamed himself a little bit. Jamie is actually very easy to manage.
“He has incredible spirit you would never ever want to kill.”
Vardy was central to the Foxes’ title triumph in 2016. Just a few weeks later, however, he then turned down a move to Arsenal to remain at the King Power Stadium, signing a bumper new contract.
Rodgers said: “He is like a club legend. He comes in every day with a great enthusiasm and lovely smile.
“It is remarkable what he has achieved as a professional having been rejected as a young player.
“Because of his speed and how deadly he is, he is an incredible talent. Jamie is a natural in his appetite for the game and always wants to improve.
“He deserves all the accolades he can get. But knowing him as well as I do, I know he won’t rest on it. He is very motivated to continue. He loves football, including out on the training pitch.
“He is a great lad who has a great passion and love for the club.”
After the Leicester star struck at the double in the 3-0 win over Palace, Rodgers presented him with an engraved silver fox pitchside for going to his ton.
But he says any boozy celebrations must wait. Rodgers said: “It is an incredible landmark but we were in the next day, focused for Arsenal.
“I am sure at the end of the season Jamie can tip a glass of wine or beer to his achievement.”
ARSENAL: Martinez, Mustafi, Luiz, Kolasinac, Bellerin, Xhaka, Ceballos, Tierney, Aubameyang, Nketiah, Saka LEICESTER: Schmeichel, Justin, Evans, Soyuncu, Fuchs, Ndidi, Tielemans, Perez, Iheanacho,
Barnes, Vardy