Jamie Vardy is reportedly attracting interest from clubs
around Europe but Leicester City are hopeful of keeping
the England international.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri does not
believe qualifying for the Champions League is the only way to
ensure Jamie Vardy stays at the club.
Vardy has been a revelation this season, breaking the Premier
League record for scoring in consecutive matches by netting in
his 11th straight fixture in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United
last weekend.
The England international forward surpassed Ruud van
Nistelrooy's previous marker of 10 to achieve that feat and his
exploits have reportedly attracted the attention of Chelsea and
United, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Vardy's league-best 14 goals have helped Leicester up to
second in the table, but Ranieri does not believe securing a
European berth is vital to keeping the 28-year-old.
"I think that he is a smart guy," he told Omnisport. "He knows
that this season we have to avoid relegation. That's our first
target.
"Then, obviously, the more we do the more chances there are
for him to stay. But he also knows that here he is like a king –
everybody loves him. If you join another team instead, he might
play one game but not the following one, so you may have
regrets.
"He will think about what he wants to do because Leicester are
destined to grow and to reach the top level in the Premier
League."
Vardy can create more history on Saturday, when Leicester
travel to Swansea City.
The all-time top-flight record of scoring in 12 straight matches
was set by Sheffield United's Jimmy Dunne in the 1931-32
season of the old First Division.
Ranieri added: "The boy [Jamie Vardy] doesn't need my
motivation because he is motivated himself. He is always
willing to do well. He wants to reach targets. He came up from
the non-league, he has suffered, he has fought hard to reach
this level.
"Two years ago he had scored 16 goals in the Championship.
Last season he managed to score six in the Premier League and
this season he is scoring consistently. It's pretty clear to me
that he has understood how things work.
"But I also have to say that those are strikers' classic moments
– there are moments where everything turns out well, but there
are other strikers at the moment who can't even score the
easiest of goals, which might be even unprecedented.
"He has to live this moment in complete freedom. What I always
ask from him is not the goals, but rather playing for the team
and fighting for his team-mates. Then if he scores, that's a
bonus."
around Europe but Leicester City are hopeful of keeping
the England international.
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri does not
believe qualifying for the Champions League is the only way to
ensure Jamie Vardy stays at the club.
Vardy has been a revelation this season, breaking the Premier
League record for scoring in consecutive matches by netting in
his 11th straight fixture in the 1-1 draw with Manchester United
last weekend.
The England international forward surpassed Ruud van
Nistelrooy's previous marker of 10 to achieve that feat and his
exploits have reportedly attracted the attention of Chelsea and
United, as well as Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Vardy's league-best 14 goals have helped Leicester up to
second in the table, but Ranieri does not believe securing a
European berth is vital to keeping the 28-year-old.
"I think that he is a smart guy," he told Omnisport. "He knows
that this season we have to avoid relegation. That's our first
target.
"Then, obviously, the more we do the more chances there are
for him to stay. But he also knows that here he is like a king –
everybody loves him. If you join another team instead, he might
play one game but not the following one, so you may have
regrets.
"He will think about what he wants to do because Leicester are
destined to grow and to reach the top level in the Premier
League."
Vardy can create more history on Saturday, when Leicester
travel to Swansea City.
The all-time top-flight record of scoring in 12 straight matches
was set by Sheffield United's Jimmy Dunne in the 1931-32
season of the old First Division.
Ranieri added: "The boy [Jamie Vardy] doesn't need my
motivation because he is motivated himself. He is always
willing to do well. He wants to reach targets. He came up from
the non-league, he has suffered, he has fought hard to reach
this level.
"Two years ago he had scored 16 goals in the Championship.
Last season he managed to score six in the Premier League and
this season he is scoring consistently. It's pretty clear to me
that he has understood how things work.
"But I also have to say that those are strikers' classic moments
– there are moments where everything turns out well, but there
are other strikers at the moment who can't even score the
easiest of goals, which might be even unprecedented.
"He has to live this moment in complete freedom. What I always
ask from him is not the goals, but rather playing for the team
and fighting for his team-mates. Then if he scores, that's a
bonus."
No comments:
Post a Comment