Retired Premier League striker Jermain Defoe has light-heartedly suggested he wants Leicester City to be relegated this season after Jamie Vardy continued his remarkable scoring form in a dramatic comeback against Brighton on Saturday.
Vardy’s 86th-minute goal helped the Foxes salvage a 2-2 draw, taking his tally to six goals and three assists in the league this season.
The 37-year-old now boasts an incredible 142 Premier League goals in 321 appearances, placing him 15th on the all-time scoring charts.
Remarkably, Vardy is just 20 goals shy of overtaking Defoe, who sits 10th in the standings with 162 goals from a glittering career with Tottenham Hotspur, West Ham United, and Portsmouth.
Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Defoe jokingly admitted he would prefer Leicester’s relegation to protect his spot in the top ten.
Replying to Jamie Carragher’s cheeky query about whether he’d like to see Leicester go down, Defoe said:
“Well… I’m hanging on to that top ten,” he added with laughter.
Vardy’s form this season has been nothing short of outstanding, especially given his age.
With nine goal contributions in just 14 league games, the Leicester talisman is proving he still has plenty to offer in his tenth Premier League campaign.
A key figure in Leicester’s unforgettable 2015/16 title-winning season, Vardy didn’t make his Premier League debut until the 2014/15 campaign, making his achievements all the more remarkable.
Despite his late arrival to England’s top flight, the veteran forward has firmly established himself as one of the league’s greats.
Now under the guidance of Ruud van Nistelrooy, Vardy is determined to help steer Leicester away from relegation danger, proving once again why he remains a vital figure for the Foxes even in the twilight of his career.
