SO HAPPY GUNNERS’ FOX HUNT CAME TO NOTHING
CELTIC V LEICESTER CITY 2016 INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONS CUP SAYS WES MORGAN
Jamie Vardy made the right choice to snub Arsenal – because he’s already playing for one of the country’s top teams.
That’s the view of Leicester City skipper Wes Morgan, who claims the England international did not have to move to the Emirates to satisfy his ambitions.
The striker, who finished joint second in the scoring charts alongside Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero and one behind 25-goal top scorer Harry Kane, was the subject of a £ 20million offer by Gunners boss Arsene Wenger last month.
But Vardy remained at the King Power Stadium, signing a new fouryear deal that will ensure his best days will be played out with the Premier League champions.
Morgan followed suit this week, penning his own extension to 2019 as two main components of the history-making side stayed put.
And Jamaica international Morgan – who starred in the penalty shoot out win over Celtic yesterday – said: “Jamie had a fantastic season. It’s to be expected teams were interested.
“But he has committed himself to Leicester now and it’s great for the fans, players and the club.
“He has proved himself on the big stage and he can do that again as he’s much more confident now.
“He knows what he is capable of. Even on the international stage with England, he has come on and been a threat straightaway.
“And at Leicester he’s proved himself. We won the league. We are the defending champions. There’s no reason for him to leave – he’s made the right choice.”
Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri faces a new challenge this season – combining the twin priorities of defending that Premier League crown – and the club’s first foray into the Champions League.
And Morgan believes Vardy is now ready to leave his mark on Europe. He added: “Vards can do damage in the Champions League. He’s done his bit for England and done his bit for Leicester, playing against some of the world’s best last season.
“Now he’s going to f ind it’s the same again in the Champions League, with some of the best defenders in the world.
“He’s popped up with a variety of goals and I’ve no doubt he can make that transition. I’m sure teams will do their research and know about him – he’s a household name now.
“So teams will know about his threat and they’ll try to nullify it.
“But plenty of defenders have tried and fai led so far – I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.”
Leicester legend Gary Lineker said he does not expect the Foxes to repeat their heroics – but insists there is no reason why the club should not be near the top.
Lineker said: “As we stand, it’s hard to know what to expect – let’s face it, it’s impossible to repeat what they’ve just done.
“I guess they will go into the season with the same motivation as they did 12 months ago – first and foremost to stay up.
“It’s going to be really difficult because they’ve got the Champions League to think about – but I still think they can challenge for a place in Europe.
“They have the spi r it and togetherness that took them so far, they’ve got the same manager and it is largely the same group of players. “Hopeful ly the players who come in wi l l match the enthusiasm they had all season and if they can do that, we will be all right.”