With a shot-conversion rate better than anybody in Europe’s top five leagues and having become more efficient than ever courtesy of Brendan Rodgers’ new tactics, Jamie Vardy seems to be in the form of his life.
His club Leicester, shock champions four seasons ago, are flying again in the Premier League, thanks in large part to a formidable scoring run from the ex-England man.
So is Vardy playing better than ever?
Is he, even, the best striker in Europe?
“He’s too good, he’s ridiculous. He gets quicker and quicker at 33 years of age,” said BBC Radio 5 Live pundit Clinton Morrison after watching Vardy score for an eighth consecutive Premier League game in Sunday’s win over Aston Villa.
Leicester go into Saturday’s home game with Norwich (15:00 GMT) as Liverpool’s nearest – and according to Morrison, only – title rivals.
Vardy is the top scorer in the Premier League this season with 16 goals in as many games, including 11 in his past eight – five clear of second-placed Tammy Abraham of Chelsea.
Only Lazio’s Ciro Immobile – with 17 – has scored more in Europe’s top five leagues this season.
Only Barcelona’s Lionel Messi has scored more league goals in the calendar year, with 33 in 29 games.
Vardy and Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski have scored 28 each – although the Pole can boast a further 10 goals in the Champions League – with Paris St-Germain striker Kylian Mbappe next on 27.
“Lewandowski has been doing it for many years,” said former Crystal Palace and Republic of Ireland striker Morrison.
“In overall play they’re totally different – he’s probably better than Vardy outside the box. But Vardy is a superb player. Under Brendan Rodgers he’s getting better and better.”
The News Editor ,Reporter at Kagadi Kibaale community Radio
