VARDY S MADE OF WRIGHT STUFF Rodgers eyes tons more from ace Jamie
JAMIE VARDY can follow in Ian Wright’s footsteps – and become a Premier League goalden oldie.
Leicester City’s striker this week joined that select group with 100 goals to their name – after collecting three more against Crystal Palace and Arsenal - and Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers says he will be banging them in ‘for years to come’.
Former Gunners legend Wright (right) was the only player older than Vardy to crack the century, and the BBC pundit was still finding the net in the top flight just weeks short of his 36th birthday.
And Rodgers says there is no reason why Vardy can’t do the same.
“The journey through nonleague was similar for both Jamie and Ian – and both play with a hunger and devilment,” he said.
“Ian was someone I loved watching. His enthusiasm, his quality and all those different finishes. Jamie is the same – that enthusiasm and love for the game.
“Ian was scoring goals throughout his career and Jamie will too. He’s got plenty more goals in him.
“He’s been electric. In the last couple of games you’ve seen a fight in his game. He’s a master of the lost cause. He’s a guy who comes to the fore.
“There’s never a lost cause in his eyes – he’s a sensational player. Hopefully that will continue for a number of years to come.”
Vardy will celebrate his 34th birthday next January and Rodgers says it will be up to him to find ways of feeding his star forward as his speed naturally declines over the next few years.
However, there is no sign of the Yorkshire-born striker slowing down and he remains two ahead of his nearest challenger, Pierreemerick Aubameyang, in the race for the Golden Boot.
“He will change as he gains experience,” added Rodgers. “It’s something we have looked at and worked on since we have come in.
“We have had to look at other ways of feeding him.
Trademark
“Look at his goal against Arsenal – they sat deep – but he doesn’t need to be impatient and come wandering, looking for the ball.
“It’s our job to serve him and get crosses in. He’s got all types of finishes. There’s not many better.
“His signature goal is the one where he spins off at speed, that’s the trademark. He’s got others, but he relies on service. He’s not going to beat five or six players, that’s not his game. He will adjust. He’s clever enough to do that. He’s still going to be a major threat.”
Rodgers heads to the south coast with sympathy for the plight faced by Cherries chief Eddie Howe.
Asked if Howe had become a victim of his own success, the Foxes boss said: “If you look at his longevity, it’s outstanding. He’s always looking for different ways to galvanise them.
“He never takes shortcuts, he’s diligent and his teams are well set up.
“He’s been unlucky with injuries. I have a huge amount of respect for him.”