DISLIKED
Puel hits back in Vardy row after striker’s wife ‘likes’ negative tweets about boss
CLAUDE PUEL insists Leicester are playing to Jamie Vardy’s strengths, despite the striker’s wife suggesting otherwise on social media.
Ex-England striker Vardy has three goals this term but his performance in Monday night’s televised 3-1 loss at Arsenal was widely criticised.
It saw Rebekah Vardy leap to her husband’s defence on Twitter. The former I’m A Celebrity... contestant liked three Tweets all criticising Foxes boss Puel, one of which said: “Vardy was non-existent today. He’s been like this for the vast majority of Puel’s time VARDY PREM GOALS 2014-15: Games 34 Goals 5 2015-16: Games 36 Goals 24 2016-17: Ganes 35 Goals 13 2017-18: Games 37 Goals 20 2018-19: Games 5 Goals 3 here. Surely no coincidence?” The star has since admitted he was ill at the Emirates and vowed to come back firing against West Ham tomorrow.
Vardy, 31, returned to training yesterday and Puel insists his tactics have put the forward on course for another 20-goal haul.
The Foxes manager (with Vardy, top) said: “He finished with 20 goals last season and it was normal. He is getting more shots statistically. Recently, he is also getting big chances.
‘‘He is getting good service from James Maddison, Shinji Okazaki or Kelechi Iheanacho.
“It is about finding confidence, stability and consistency.
“He needs to fight in his play with aggressiveness and pressing, and he will find good confidence again.”