‘JAMIE IS THE BEST PARTNER YOU COULD WANT AS A STRIKER’
KELECHI Iheanacho will try to help Jamie Vardy end his goal drought on the stage where Leicester City’s number nine usually comes to life.
While Iheanacho has been netting freely of late, Vardy has scored just one goal in 18 appearances since Christmas.
However, the City talisman has never been fazed by the occasion that a match at Wembley represents.
For City, he has four goals in three games at the national stadium, taking in a Community Shield encounter and two fixtures against Tottenham when they made the ground their temporary home, as well as four goals for England from just six starts.
For that streak to continue against Southampton in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final would be most welcome for City.
And after his assists for Iheanacho over recent months, the Nigerian is looking to return the favour.
“Jamie is the best partner you could want as a striker,” Iheanacho said. “He’s a nice guy, he’s a legend at the club.
“He is really nice and has been since I came to this club. He is really funny and cracks people up.
“He takes that into the game and helps his mates out. It doesn’t matter if he scores, he is a real team player.
“Of course as a striker when you are in the box the only thing on your mind is to shoot and score. You don’t check your sides and look.
“But Jamie is one man who is a team player and he is not selfish at all. He looks out for his mates. He is the best partner I could ever ask for.
“I need to start setting up a few for him so he can get back scoring. He has really worked hard to get to where he is, both in the Premier League and in world football. Hopefully, I will set him up to score some goals.” Manager Brendan Rodgers is also backing Vardy to end his dry spell soon.
“If we can defend well, how we can do, and be concentrated, then I always believe we can score goals,” the boss added. “Kels is in great form. Jamie hasn’t scored but he’s a big-game player and it’s only a matter of time before he gets on the scoresheet.”
I need to start setting up a few for him so he can get back scoring
Kelechi Iheanacho aims to help Jamie Vardy end his goal drought