Vardy Excited By Festive Run-In

First Team
24 Nov 2017
2 Minutes
Jamie Vardy says Leicester City are not fazed by a busy run-in of 10 matches over Christmas, starting with Friday’s trip to West Ham United (8pm kick-off).

- Leicester City's Jamie Vardy provides his thoughts ahead of West Ham United on Friday
- The England striker has scored six goals for the Foxes this season
- Vardy expects City to manage the busy festive period well despite a high volume of fixtures
- Claude Puel's management is helping him evolve his game, the 30-year-old reveals

The England striker has already netted six times this term and, over a hectic festive period, he believes he can continue to cause problems for opposition defences.

“Your fitness just naturally stays with you through the season with the games that you play,” Vardy told LCFC TV. “It’s just all the other stuff that you have to try and keep on top of.

“We’ve always got different drills set up for agility or speed tests. That’s what you need to do, instead of the longer distances because you get them during training in the week anyway.”

With City going to London Stadium on Friday, Vardy is eager to add to his tally in front of goal at a venue he has fond memories of, having scored there last term.

“I managed to get on the scoresheet there and I think I was getting a bit of stick off the fans, so I gave them a bit back with the celebration,” the 30-year-old added on Wednesday.  

“If you’re getting stick, then it’s obviously part and parcel of the game. That’s what the fans pay for – they don’t want to see the opposition getting one up on their team.  

It hasn’t changed drastically. He still wants me playing on the shoulder if I can. I think it’s just the build-up before.

Jamie Vardy

“You’re bound to get a bit of stick, but I don’t think there’s anything wrong with scoring and celebrating in front of them.

“I probably could have had more [goals this season], but it’s a long season and there’s plenty of games to come, so hopefully they’ll start flying in again."

The City No.9 is enjoying his football under new manager Claude Puel and he hopes the Frenchman can help him evolve his game this season.

Vardy added: “It hasn’t changed drastically. He still wants me playing on the shoulder if I can. I think it’s just the build-up before.

“Rather than it being just a launched ball over the top and saying ‘there you go, on your bike’, it’s a bit of build-up play and trying to get the right pass at the right time.”