BREN: VARDY’S DOUBLE TROUBLE
BRENDAN RODGERS says Premier League defenders are now facing double the trouble when Jamie Vardy is about.
Leicester’s boss says the Foxes striker is playing the best football of his career and is such a handful he is doing the work of two players.
It is four years this week since Vardy, who turns 33 next month, set a Premier League record when he scored 11 goals in successive matches.
He has managed to find the net in the
Foxes’ last five outings, including a hat-trick during the 9-0 drubbing of Southampton.
Vardy’s contribution was highlighted on Match of the Day last week and Rodgers compared him to Barcelona star Luis Suarez, who he managed at Liverpool.
The former Reds chief said: “Jamie’s playing consistently at a very high level.
“For me, it’s like having two players up there because of his work and his threat. People sometimes ask me, ‘Why don’t you play with two strikers?’ Well, when you have the likes of him and Luis Suarez, who I had at Liverpool, it’s like having two. They are so good and offer such a threat.
“I mentioned Luis because he played as a single striker for me as well, they are so good that they can occupy defenders on their own.
“You look at his speed last week when he was breaking away – it’s a huge testament to him, how he’s looking after his body. He’s so dangerous and I think you’ve seen his intelligence as well. He’s getting better in how he’s setting up the game. Even last week at Brighton when he went through, drew the keeper, then squared it. It wasn’t on for him, he’s setting up his team-mates.”
Rodgers said turning his back on his international career is having a positive effect on Vardy’s club form.
He added: “During the international breaks he’s got a bit of recovery time. Not just physically, but mentally as well. There’s no doubt it will help him.”