ONE ON ONE
PROLIFIC
VAR D Y
JAMIE VARDY IS ONE OF THE MOST PROLIFIC STRIKERS IN EUROPE – THE LEICESTER LEGEND SPEAKS TO DAVID WHITE AND
EXCLUSIVELY TELLS SOCCER 360 ABOUT THE NIGHT HE BECAME A CHAMPION, WHY BEING TOP SCORER IS NEVER THE GOAL,
AND HOW HE WILL BE ENJOYING EURO 2020 AS A FAN THIS SUMMER.BRENDAN RODGERS HAS COME IN
AND REVITALISED LEICESTER –
WHAT’S IT LIKE PLAYING UNDER
HIM?
The answer to that is in the results and the
way we have been playing. There is a lot
of confidence in this team. We have done
special things before – and there is real
belief in the team.WHAT EXACTLY CAN YOU ACHIEVE?
There is very much the mentality of taking
things one game at a time. It was the same
in the title winning season – it is dangerous
to look any further than your next game.
Leicester are in a great position to qualify
for The Champions League next season.JUST WHAT WOULD THAT MEAN?
There are still a lot of games to be played- but of course The Champions League is
where you want to be as a player. There
would be some special games – and it
would mean a lot for the fans as well – it’s
something we want to try and achieve for
them.
WHAT DO YOU REMEMBER OF THAT
SPECIAL NIGHT YOU BECAME A
CHAMPION WITH LEICESTER?
I had a lot of the players around my house.
It was a Monday night and if Spurs didn’t
beat Chelsea, we would be Champions. It
finished 2-2 – we had a crazy party at my
house and there were fans who were at the
front of my house making a lot of noise!JAMES MADDISON HAS BEEN A
STANDOUT PLAYER IN THE PREMIER
LEAGUE THIS SEASON. JUST HOW
GOOD IS HE?
Maddy is an astounding player – from the
first training session I had with him I was
astonished by his technical ability. We
have a great connection and he anticipates
my runs on the field. There is definitely
a certain amount of instinct in this – but
it’s also the result of a lot of hard work in
training.THERE IS A REAL CHANCE YOU WILL
FINISH AS THE PREMIER LEAGUES
TOP SCORER THIS SEASON. HOW
IMPORTANT IS THAT?
It is nice – but it has never been a real goal
for me. All I want to do when I play is have
fun and help the team.AFTER RETIRING FROM THE
ENGLAND NATIONAL TEAM, YOU
WON’T BE PLAYING AT EURO 2020.
HOW DIFFICULT WAS THE DECISION
TO RETIRE FROM INTERNATIONAL
DUTY?
It is never an easy decision, but it was the
right decision to retire after The World
Cup in Russia. There were more and more
young players coming through who I
felt needed games time to improve, not
playing international football gives me
the chance to recharge my batteries a bit
more both physically and mentally, and I
really appreciate the extra time I now get to
spend with my family.IS THERE A CHANCE YOU WOULD
RETURN TO THE NATIONAL
TEAM FOR THE EUROPEAN
CHAMPIONSHIPS?
Gareth Southgate has said to me that the
door is open to a return – but when you
look at the quality of young players we have
and how well the team is playing – I think I
made the right decision?WHO DO YOU THINK WILL BE
FAVOURITES FOR THE EUROS?
There will be the usual names who are
strong – but I do really think that England
have a big chance. We have shown our
quality at The World Cup and since. The
manager has these young players playing
with a lot of confidence – and the quality is
there for success.WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE WATCHING
IT AS A FAN?
I will be supporting England of course – but
when you are not caught up in the madness
of playing in a major tournament there will
be a chance to enjoy other games as well.