Jamie Vardy – A Premier League Player

Article by e-Leicester City's Daniel Stones

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From playing non-league football for Stocksbridge Park Steels in 2007 and now seven years later becoming a premier league player for Leicester City, what a remarkable turnaround it’s been for Jamie Vardy.

Working his way up through the non-league pyramid after being released by Sheffield Wednesday, scoring goals for fun at Stocksbridge Park Steels, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town, Jamie Vardy has done it the hard way. His 34 goals for Fleetwood Town in the 2011-2012 season which saw them promoted from the Conference National as champions, saw him signed by Leicester City in May 2012 for a non-league transfer record fee of £1 million.

There’s no doubt Vardy struggled in his first season as a City player and finished the season scoring a grand total of five goals in all competitions. Perhaps the expectations of him were a little high and he needed time to adjust to life in the Championship.

His second season in the football league he has shown why Leicester City paid that record transfer fee and his partnership with David Nugent has been exceptional. Vardy has been an absolute revelation and the faith shown in him by the manager and staff has been fully justified. He’s come into this season a different player, his confidence, pace, determination and work rate have won over many City supporters who were doubting whether he could make it.

Now it’s the premier league for Jamie Vardy to focus on, can he make it at the top level of English football? I for one believe he can, although I would like to see him improve on his one-on-one situations when put through on goal. Times he’s been put through and missed his chances, if he took them, he would have easily doubled his 16 goals for the season.

It’s hard being critical of City’s players’ player of the season having had a great season, but in the premier league you have to take your opportunities and chances in games can come at a premium. Maybe some tuition in the summer from Super Kevin Phillips will help.

There’s transfer talk of City adding to their firepower next season, which is needed as they only have along with Vardy, David Nugent, Chris Wood and Gary Taylor-Fletcher. The likes of Leanardo Ulloa from Brighton and Frazer Campbell from Cardiff City are being touted as potential arrivals and Jamie Vardy will need to continue his impressive form and goal scoring ability to stay in the starting eleven.

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