The Sports Lowdown For All Your News and OpinionsWhen Jamie Vardy was called up to the England squad in May there was a lot of doubt and people questioning whether he deserved the recognition. Since that time the Leicester City striker has become a regular in the national side after his inspired form has set the Premier League alight this season.
There’s no doubt it takes time to settle into a new league; Vardy made the jump from non-league with Fleetwood Town to the Championship after Leicester bought him for £1 million but he found it difficult to adapt in his first season. The transition after the summer saw Vardy return revitalised; full of pace and clinical finishing which led to the contribution of 16 goals to Leicester’s title-winning campaign.
In a new league once again, another huge step up, Vardy struggled slightly in the Premier League. He was hit with a few injuries for the duration of the season but he still managed five goals and ten assists and was instrumental in the last nine games as Leicester completed the great escape to survive in the top flight.
This season is a different story however, as the Foxes’ frontman has added goals to his game, and lots of them. Vardy has scored 12 goals in as many games, including a run of scoring in nine consecutive matches to beat the English record. This run is still going and if he can recover from an injury to face Newcastle on Saturday, he stands a great chance of equalling Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record. If he is fit and can score against the Magpies, he faces the perfect scenario of beating the Dutchman’s record against Manchester United.
Vardy’s form has given England manager Roy Hodgson no other option but to include him in his squad. An injury kept him out of the friendlies against Spain and France but if he can keep on playing well for Leicester he will surely be involved in next year’s matches ahead of the key squad selection, for the European Championships.
Hodgson doesn’t have a great deal of options in the strikers department and while he remains insistent on playing Vardy on the left wing he isn’t going to get the best out of him. It’s no surprise that Vardy has played a massive part in getting Leicester to 3rd in the Premier League table, one point from the leaders, as he has a central but free role which allows him to run in the channels and exploit defenders. Leicester have played Vardy on the wing before and it is impossible to maximise his ability; it seems everyone realises that but the man selecting the England side.
When played in the middle for his club, he gets the correct service because his team mates know where his runs will be made and while he’s in this excellent run of form there’s no doubt he will finish his chances. This has to merit a role in his favoured position, especially as his closest English rival in the Premier League is Harry Kane, who has just six goals this season.
With Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck struggling with injuries this is a great opening for Vardy to stamp his name in the England squad. The Euros seem quite far away but providing he can stay fit and prolong his performances for the Foxes, it would take a ludicrous decision to exclude him from the squad travelling to France in the summer.
But what can Jamie Vardy bring to this England side? A breath of fresh air if he’s utilised correctly. The energy he brings to a side is refreshing for his manager, his team mates and the fans. England performances haven’t been at their strongest recently despite winning ten out of their ten qualifying matches in a relatively easy group; Vardy would bring a bit of excitement to the game.
No-one wants another disappointing tournament like the previous World Cup and with the draw for the group stages of the Euros approaching; England will have a better idea of their fate in the competition. The game against Spain was hugely substandard as England were dealt a lesson in football but the victory versus the French was much better as the side played a better-paced standard of football, with much more attacking intent.
There is still something missing in this England team nevertheless; the midfield and defence seem to be getting stronger but the attacking line is still the weak link. It’s hardly surprising with Vardy being played out of position and what seems like the preferred pairing of Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney scoring just eight goals between them this season. The friendlies before the tournament are going to be vital for Hodgson as he should be using players in the right positions and identifying his best starting eleven.
To demonstrate a fair judgement of Vardy’s ability he has to be played in a central role. He would still be somewhat effective on the wing and any call-up would be well-received, but if he did go on to become the Premier League’s top scorer it would be an inept choice to play him in a position which restricts his game.
One thing that has stood out from the last few international games is that counter-attacking is going to be a big part of England’s style of play. Against the top European sides there is often space in the opposition half when England are defending and Vardy would be the most suitable option to exploit this space; using his pace and skill to start an attack. He would ideally fit into the side, forming a strong partnership with Rooney who would be playing in the number ten role. England certainly have the players to compliment Vardy’s strengths; Rooney’s hold-up play, the crossing from either side with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and the service from the midfield, especially with Ross Barkley breaking into the side.
Vardy hasn’t really had a fair run in the England team yet so it would be harsh to judge him on a position which doesn’t suit him, but based on his form for Leicester there is no disbelief over what he could bring to the side. He has achieved what no other English striker has before in the Premier League and he will hope to extend his run against Newcastle. The Foxes could be in for a fantastic season if their run of form goes on and if Vardy keeps scoring the goals, it will give Roy Hodgson no alternative but to take him to France.
