Vardy a culture vulture
JAMIE EYES ABROAD
JAMIE VARDY has revealed he wants a move to a foreign club when he quits Leicester.
The England striker says he has already spoken to his agent, John Morris, about seeing out his career abroad.
Vardy, who is 31 in January, opted to stay with the Foxes after they won the title in 2016 rather than join Arsenal in a £20m move.
Chelsea were linked with a move for Vardy this summer, while Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone revealed he is a fan of the striker’s all-action style from their Champions League clashes.
Experience
Asked if Leicester would be the last team he played for, Vardy said: “I’m only 21 at heart, really. I’ve still got 14 years left!
“Who knows what can happen? I’ve spoken about it with my agent in the past. A move abroad, who knows?
“That would be something I’d probably like to experience – a different culture. We’ll have to wait and see what happens.”
Pressed whether he fancied Spain or Italy, he added: “Whichever one has got the nicest food!
“Anything, really, just so I can get a different culture, a different experience, as I’ve only ever been in England.”
Vardy, whose Leicester contract runs ® by DAVID WOODS for three more years, also warned former team-mate Danny Drinkwater he could find it tough to get regular games at new club Chelsea.
The champions are at Leicester on Saturday, with £35m England star Drinkwater expected to be available.
“It’s a strange one for him, coming straight back,” said Vardy. “He made it known that he wanted to leave.
“I’m sure the club got the right deal that they wanted and now he’s gone, he’s on his way.
“They’re full of world-class players. Danny is up there himself but it depends on the formation that their manager will be willing to play.
“They signed Tiemoue Bakayoko (from Monaco), so he has a lot of competition for his place.
“Fair play to Danny, it’s what he wanted. He wanted to move, so good luck to him – but not on Saturday.”
A move for Riyad Mahrez failed to materialise.
Vardy told the Leicester playmaker he must get back to the form that earned him the Player of the Year award in 2016 to put himself in the shop window.
“It’s up to him now,” said Vardy. “He went to Europe on holiday and it’s been out there, about him was wanting a winter move.
“If that’s the case, he will be wanting to perform and knuckle down.”