Take it as red, Vardy’s rage gives us edge
CLAUDE PUEL says he will not try to tame the tiger lurking within his striker Jamie Vardy.
Leicester boss Puel said he is not angry with Vardy for the reckless challenge last weekend that saw him banned for three games.
Leicester’s England international misses today’s clash at Southampton after being red-carded last week for his lunge at Wolves defender Matt Doherty.
Vardy is also sidelined for the midweek Carabao Cup clash with former club Fleetwood and next weekend’s game against Liverpool.
But Puel, below, says Vardy would not be the same player if he didn’t play on the edge.
“He needs to keep that character and fighting spirit because it’s the most important thing for him,” said Puel.
“Perhaps last week it was a bit too much and too dynamic but we cannot change him and we don’t want to change his character. I want him to continue like this.”
The Foxes manager believes half the reason Vardy scores at will is because of his aggressive streak.
“I cannot be angry with Jamie because in the game he gives his best, always with good spirit and he brings a lot of good attitude to his team-mates,” he added.
“It is difficult. His absence hurts us because he is a valuable player but we cannot play all season with just one striker and one player with a possibility to score.
“It is a good opportunity to develop and give responsibility to other players.”
Vardy’s enforced absence paves the way for £25million
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Kelechi Iheanacho to try to earn a run in the team. Puel said: “I was happy with the progress of Iheanacho at the end of the season. He played very well.”
Iheanacho has also been hitting the net in pre-season and Puel also has Shinji Okazaki back in the reckoning after injury.
“Okay, we lost Jamie for three games but it will be a good opportunity to give responsibility to other players,” Puel said.
“We need to have players always ready to take someone’s place because it will be a long season.” Meanwhile, Southampton manager Mark Hughes is backing keeper Alex McCarthy to become an England star. McCarthy, 28, was called up by the Three Lions under Sam Allardyce and was watched by Gareth Southgate during Saints’ 2-1 defeat at Everton last weekend.
Hughes said: “Alex is a very accomplished goalkeeper and Gareth will know that.
“He has been doing good work in training and hasn’t had any opportunity with the goals that have gone past him. He has made key saves as well.
“He is in good form and if he gets picked by England he won’t let anybody down. He’s a modern-day keeper and towards the end of last year made some saves that were match-defining.
“That is the mark of a top-quality keeper, making saves to protect results. Alex did that on any number of occasions.”