Nine and dandy
Rodgers says Vardy would still walk into any side
BRENDAN RODGERS reckons Jamie Vardy could still walk into any team in the Premier League after his double against West Brom.
The striker’s two penalties and Timothy Castagne’s debut goal saw Leicester stroll to victory at The Hawthorns.
Vardy – who turns 34 in January – scored 23 times last season to win the golden boot.
And his haul yesterday took him to 105 top-flight goals, one above former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba in the all-time scoring charts.
Rodgers said: “There are many top strikers at this level but any team would want someone like him in there.
“He’s super cool, clinical and has still got pace and running ability. In that situation to put us two up he showed great composure. It’s a great start for him to score two goals and very good for the team.
“It’s not a big surprise with top-quality players, it doesn’t matter what they’ve done, doesn’t matter how much they earn, they want to be the best they can be.
“He trains and works intensely, is a natural goalscorer and is still quick, I suspect he’ll have another great season.”
Sam Johnstone denied Harvey Barnes and Vardy while Matheus Pereira saw a low effort saved by Kasper Schmeichel in the first half.
But a low-key game sparked into life after 56 minutes when Castagne headed in after beating Kieran Gibbs to Dennis Praet’s cross. Rodgers said: “He defended well, attacked and it was great to get a goal.
“He’s a player I’ve known for a number of years, he will run all day and looks to get in the box. I’m delighted for him and it was a really good debut.”
There was no way back for West Brom and they selfdestructed by giving away two penalties in the final 16 minutes.
First, Kyle Bartley pulled Vardy back for the striker to convert. Then Dara O’Shea felled James Justin to allow Vardy to score again from the spot.
For West Brom, back in the Premier League after two years, it was a reminder of what they face if they want to survive.
Boss Slaven Bilic, expected to complete the signing of Branislav Ivanovic today, said: “I was pleased with the way we played up until their goal.
“I told the guys I was very disappointed with the result but the thing I was most disappointed with was our reaction after the goal. Our mentality was not the same.
“They were a bit sharper for the third, the penalty, all of it looks stoppable. Apart from the first goal it was a good performance with and without the ball.”