HIGH PRIEST RODGERS FINDS PERFECT DISCIPLE
HARRY MAGUIRE thinks Jamie Vardy can keep scoring at the top level for years to come after hitting his century for Leicester. And given the instant connection the striker seems to have struck with Brendan Rodgers it is a view that carries significant weight. Vardy turned 32 in January but is still running with speed and in Rodgers has a manager committed to the kind of style that suits him. Rodgers is the high priest of the high press and in Vardy has the perfect disciple. Against Fulham, Vardy scored a brace with two clinical finishes to provide relief for whoever it was at the club who decided his goal in the 2016 Community Shield does not count in their records. Rather than linger on a supposed 99, Vardy reached 100 at a stroke. His first was a whipped shot with his right from James Maddison’s pass, his second was a caressed effort
with his left from a Harvey Barnes cross. He has 74 Premier League goals since 2014 and only Harry Kane, Sergio Aguero and Romelu Lukaku have more in that period. He also set up Leicester’s first for Youri Tielemans to take his total of Premier League assists to 24. The £1million fee Leicester paid Fleetwood Town in 2012 must go down as one of the top-flight’s best ever deals. And Maguire sees no signs of Vardy letting up. ‘With the way he runs at the moment he can keep going for years,’ said the Leicester defender. ‘He has lost no pace and is as sharp as ever. His finishing is remarkable. One on one you would back him every time. If he looks after himself he will keep going and scoring goals.’ Rodgers echoed that sentiment, factoring in that Vardy only began playing professionally full-time in 2011. ‘Because he started a little bit later, he hasn’t got so many miles on the clock as some of the other guys,’ Rodgers said. ‘You only need to see his energy. He’s so fast. That’s not going to disappear quickly.’