Jamie Vardy remains a vital figure for Leicester City despite approaching his 38th birthday next month.
A decade after his arrival from Fleetwood Town in 2012, the veteran striker continues to lead the line for the Foxes in the 2024/25 season.
Vardy’s impact on Leicester is unparalleled. With 191 goals to his name, he is the club’s third-highest scorer in history.
His role was pivotal in the Foxes’ fairytale Premier League title triumph in 2015/16, where he scored 24 goals and provided seven assists in 36 matches.
During that season, he famously broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for goals in consecutive Premier League games, netting in 11 straight fixtures.
Now, at 37, Vardy remains a key player. Leicester manager Ruud van Nistelrooy praised the forward ahead of their trip to Brighton, hoping Vardy can add to his five goals in 13 league appearances this season.
Ayoze Pérez Thriving in Spain
Meanwhile, former Leicester player Ayoze Pérez has found a new lease of life at Villarreal after a disappointing spell at the King Power Stadium.
Signed for £30 million from Newcastle United in 2019, the Spaniard struggled to replicate his Tyneside form. Despite making 114 appearances for the Foxes across all competitions, he managed only 15 goals before being released in 2023.
Since then, Pérez has reignited his career in Spain. After joining Real Betis as a free agent, he moved to Villarreal in the summer of 2024.
This season, he has been prolific, scoring seven goals in nine La Liga games and 10 in 11 across all competitions. By comparison, Vardy has netted five times in 13 Premier League matches and has yet to feature in cup competitions.
Leicester’s Striker Shortage
Leicester’s reliance on Vardy highlights a significant issue: a lack of quality centre-forward options.
Odsonne Edouard, signed from Crystal Palace, has struggled to make an impact and is yet to feature under Van Nistelrooy.
Patson Daka, though lively off the bench against West Ham, has never been a consistent goalscorer at this level.
With Pérez in sensational form abroad, Leicester may regret letting him go. For now, Vardy remains their main hope, but the Foxes need reinforcements to alleviate the burden on their aging talisman.
