Sammie Szmodics is embracing his Jamie Vardy-esque journey, determined to make his mark in the Premier League and prove that his arrival is no fluke.
The Ipswich Town and Ireland forward, who fulfilled his childhood dream at the age of 28 by signing for newly-promoted Ipswich, is eager to show that he belongs at the top level of English football.
His journey has followed a path similar to that of Leicester City’s talismanic striker Jamie Vardy, who also worked his way up from the lower leagues to become a top-flight star.
Szmodics marked his first Premier League start against champions Manchester City with a goal, an achievement that mirrored Vardy’s remarkable rise through the divisions.
Szmodics, speaking ahead of Ipswich’s clash with Southampton, reflected on Vardy’s influence.
“What Jamie has done is obviously amazing and at his age now to still be doing it,” Szmodics said.
“I had a good chat with him last year at the end of the season, obviously we played against Leicester. He congratulated me on the goals.
“It is quite a similar story. He worked his way up. Maybe he was a bit later than me but he worked up and has done it week in, week out in the Premier League now. It’s something ultimately I want to achieve. This is my first season but our journeys are very similar.”
The comparison with Vardy is not just superficial. Like Vardy, Szmodics has scored in all five divisions of English football, a testament to his perseverance and determination. Vardy’s generosity also left an impression on Szmodics.
“He gave me a bottle of Champagne that said congratulations for the season I had. It was something he didn’t need to do. Obviously, I don’t know him on a personal level but it shows the character he is,” Szmodics added.
Szmodics’ path to the Premier League has been anything but smooth. A tough spell at Bristol City in 2019 could have crushed his ambitions, but he remained undeterred.
His subsequent relegation from the Championship with Peterborough in 2022 only strengthened his resolve to prove his doubters wrong.
Now, having signed for Ipswich, he is determined to build on his 33 goals for Blackburn last season and ensure Kieran McKenna’s side stay in the Premier League.
“I’ve played and scored in every league, but if you said to me at 19 years old when I was on loan at Braintree under the Cowley brothers that in 10 years you will be in the Premier League and would have just scored at Man City, I would have laughed,” Szmodics admitted.
“But that’s been the journey I have been on and I’ve enjoyed the journey because I love playing football.”
Szmodics’ humility and work ethic have been constants throughout his career, and now that he has reached the pinnacle of English football, he is determined not to let it slip away.
“Now I’m in the Premier League I just need to grab hold of it and stay here for as long as I can.”
He knows that proving his worth at this level will require even more effort than ever before.
“I love having a point to prove. People always doubt you, people will doubt us now. I went to Bristol and it didn’t work out. First year at Blackburn I struggled to get going and people questioned if I was good enough. Like I say, I have always felt I was good enough for the level and it is proving people wrong.”
Szmodics is acutely aware that the hard work doesn’t stop now that he’s in the Premier League. If anything, it’s only just beginning.
“I’ve worked all my life to get to this stage so I’d be stupid not to take it all in. Now is probably the time in my career where I need to work the hardest and learn the most.”
The Ipswich forward is determined to help his club avoid the immediate drop back to the Championship, and his attitude reflects that of his manager and teammates.
“We are not here to make the numbers up. We are here to compete.”
With Szmodics leading the charge, Ipswich’s fight for survival may be bolstered by a player who, like Vardy before him, refuses to be held back by doubters or setbacks.