Vardy Earns First England Call-Up

Now, Vardy will hope to help Roy Hodgson’s men continue their 100 per cent record in Group E of the UEFA European 2016 Qualifiers when the Three Lions travel to Slovenia on Sunday 14 June. Before that, Vardy could be involved when England face the Republic of Ireland in an international friendly on Sunday 7 June at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin. 

Should Vardy make an appearance, it would cap a sensational rise through England’s footballing ranks for the City frontman. The Sheffield-born striker signed from non-league side Fleetwood Town in the summer of 2012, and after helping the Foxes storm to the 2013/14 Championship title, made his Premier League debut in the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in August. 

Now, he could become the first outfield Leicester City player to represent the Three Lions since Academy graduate and now Club Ambassador Emile Heskey donned the famous England jersey against Argentina at Wembley back in February 2000. 

For many, it will certainly be seen as a deserved call-up given Vardy’s instrumental role in City’s 2014/15 Premier League survival bid. His relentless pestering of opposition defences, tireless work rate and sheer persistence have been key to City’s pressing from the front. 

Vardy missed out on the Foxes’ first two fixtures of the current campaign due to injury, but after two substitute appearances against Arsenal and Stoke City, he made his first Premier League start in the famous 5-3 win over Manchester United. That match, for many, was said to be one of the greatest ever games to be played at King Power Stadium. 

It was the first time in Premier League history that a team had recovered from two goals down to beat the Red Devils. Vardy played a huge role in the victory, scoring the fourth goal to put his side 4-3 up, while assisting the other four strikes. 

His knack of scoring important goals wouldn’t stop there. While his neat finish in the 4-3 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in March would be eclipsed by Harry Kane’s hat-trick, many could see the potential City had of achieving positive results, but few could have predicted the run that they would go on to make. 

First, Vardy flicked the ball into the path of midfielder Andy King, who fired in a late winner against West Ham United – City’s first league victory in nearly four months – before netting a superb match-winning solo goal in the 3-2 triumph at West Bromwich Albion the following weekend. 

After a 2-0 win against Swansea City, Vardy would again make the headlines in the Foxes’ next fixture. In a mad 60 seconds, Burnley’s Matthew Taylor missed a penalty, before Leicester raced up the other end of the pitch. Marc Albrighton’s delivery from the right wing took a deflection of Michael Duff, allowing Vardy to steal in to score a crucial goal against Sean Dyche’s men. 

Vardy’s three goals in five fixtures gave City some much-needed momentum, and in their last eight fixtures, only recently-crowned Premier League Champions Chelsea would beat them. Such was their form, heading into the goalless draw with Sunderland last weekend – a result that ultimately booked Leicester’s spot in the 2015/16 Premier League campaign – City were top of the form table. 

To conclude a fine season for the frontman, Vardy could make his 36th appearance of the campaign in all competitions against Queens Park Rangers on Sunday, safe in the knowledge that his side will be playing in England’s top tier next term.