leicester city

Marc Albrighton sets out case for Leicester City’s looming Jamie Vardy decision

Published

10 months ago

February 12, 2024

Chants of 10 more years for Jamie Vardy may be optimistic but the Leicester City talisman’s long-time team-mate Marc Albrighton believes he has the energy and drive for at least one more season at the club.

Vardy is into the final few months of his City contract and an emotional farewell to arguably the club’s greatest-ever player is looming. But that can change if he is handed a new deal. Aged 37 and with three 20-somethings as rivals for game-time up front, Vardy is still managing to make an impact and is the club’s joint-leading scorer in all competitions this term, level on 10 with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Stephy Mavididi.

Over the past two games, in which Vardy has come on as a substitute, City fans have made their thoughts clear. They’re not ready to see an end to the number nine’s time at the King Power Stadium.

And Albrighton agrees. The winger, who has been Vardy’s team-mate for nearly a decade, believes he has retained the attributes required to keep performing at the top level.

“He (Vardy) is still as energetic as ever,” Albrighton said at the end of last month. “That goes for on the pitch and off the pitch. He is fantastic and he’s been fantastic for this football club over the years. I think he’s got more in him. We will see how the end of the season goes.

“Without a doubt, I think there is more in him. I think he’s still a great player for this football club. He’s been a great servant. It’s his work ethic, his drive, everything.

“He’s just been massive for the club and epitomises everything that we want to do and want to be. It will be a sad day when he eventually does go, whether that’s this year, or whenever it may be.

“I don’t know why you would ever write him off. I find that baffling, to be honest. Any time he’s been out of the team, he has always come back and come up trumps. I would never write that boy off.”

Vardy is one of six senior players out of contract at City, with Albrighton another. Manager Enzo Maresca said again after Saturday’s 2-1 win over Watford that discussions over new contracts are on hold until the club’s divisional status is known.

“In this moment, the only focus is to finish in the right way,” Maresca said. “When we can take decisions because our future is already clear, we’re going to sit with all of the players who finish the contracts and we’ll take the right decisions for all of them.

“Sometimes, even today, Jamie shows not only scoring goals but the way he works off the ball. It was a moment that we needed to suffer all together. Last time he scored twice, today he was inside helping the team, pressing. I’m very happy.”