How many players in the past have jumped ship to a bigger club and seen their career go pear shaped?
With all of the speculation concerning Jamie Vardy’s Leicester future, what needs to be kept in mind, is the fact that all of this circus is based on one season.
You have to admit that it was a great season for the ex-Fleetwood Town man, but it is one star studded campaign that has led to the Premier League title, Champions League qualification and a chance to play for England in a major competition, but it is still one year.
24 league goals and runner-up to top scoring Spurs man, Harry Kane, is undeniably no mean feat and in the world of fairytale seasons, it’s such a story, no wonder Hollywood loves it.
However, next year will be one that defines just how good Vardy is, and maybe for now the Foxes poacher needs to cement his stock at the King Power Stadium, albeit, this might be his only chance to join a bigger team at 29.
Here are FIVE reasons for Vardy to consider staying with the champions…
Champions League football
Surely one of the most important competitions that any player would want to be involved in? To go in as a champion of your own league adds status, although there will be some snobbery as Leicester are not traditionally a Champions League side. If you move to a club not in the Champions League, then that doesn’t make sense, so stay where you are guaranteed the next tier of football and a first-team slot every game. Leicester have the opportunity to shake up the CL, as they are complete unknowns and will stick to their soak-up-the-pressure-and-then-counter-attack style of play.
Leicester Are Winners
It was reported that Vardy’s representatives had virtually concluded a deal two weeks ago with West Ham. The Hammers were willing to trigger the release clause and pay £105,000 a week for the Leicester man, but apparently the players agent then came back and demanded £140,000 a week.
West Ham said no thanks.
Now Arsenal are looking to pay Vardy a vast weekly wage over three years, but what is being forgotten is that West Ham haven’t won anything and neither have Arsenal. The Gunners always shoot themselves in the foot and end up runners-up, but at least they do have the Champions League. Leicester are champions and will probably come in with a counter offer that should make the player want to remain with the winners, not the also-rans. Why would you leave a winning team?
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Hero status
Vardy has gone from ‘Jamie, who?’, to being a cult hero, and while he is worshipped at Leicester, why would he then move to establish himself all over again? Whatever Vardy does now, whatever happens to the goalscoring feats for next year, he will be forgiven because of what he’s achieved last season. He will do no wrong, but he won’t get the same adulation or forgiveness anywhere else. It’s better sometimes to stay where you are and become a legend.
The grass Isn’t Always Greener
The lure of a bigger club and bigger money have sent other players tumbling into obscurity in the past because, often, that big move becomes an anchor you can never shake off. Maybe Leicester are his level, the players are a team rather individuals and he ‘fits’ with the Foxes, whereas elsewhere, he would become a smaller fish in a larger pond.
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Comfort Zone
Comfort zones can be a double edged sword. Critics will say that to stay at a club could be a sign of a lack of ambition or it could be that actually the player is entirely comfortable with the playing style, the other players and has the freedom to play his best football. The team know each other and Vardy knows where to be to receive the ball, as the team knows where to put the ball for him to score.
The manager and the fans love him, the club want him stay and the next season could be good again within a familiar environment. If he stays at Leicester, they will play to his strengths, elsewhere, he may have to adapt – if he can.
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