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Can this Leicester City hero become a hit at Euro 2016?
There are not many careers in football that are as fascinating as Jamie Vardy’s. In just six short years, the man from Sheffield has moved from the Northern Premier League to the Barclays Premier League. Vardy was playing for FC Halifax Town in West Yorkshire in the 2010/11 season where he was joint third top scorer in the league. He saw his side promoted as champions but he was quickly signed by Fleetwood Town who were in the Conference (National League).
The one season Vardy spent at Fleetwood was another title-winning campaign as they finished top of the Conference, five points clear of Wrexham. He was top scorer that season finding the back of the net on 31 occasions. The 29-year-old caught the eye of the then Championship side Leicester City who paid Fleetwood a Non-League record fee of £1million and signed Vardy up on a three-year deal. He had not made a massive impact at the KP Stadium until this season where he scored in a record nine consecutive Premier League games and is currently the top scorer on 16 goals, one ahead of Romelu Lukaku of Everton.
Many believe Leicester City wouldn’t be top of the table without the Yorkshireman’s contribution. Along with Riyad Mahrez, the Foxes have been tremendous in front of goal. Vardy earnt an England call up in 2015 and has currently played four matches for England but has yet to score.
It is almost certain that Jamie Vardy will be in the Euro 2016 squad, but can he convert his domestic form into international success? England in recent years have struggled up front, with many names brought into contention such as Defoe, Sturridge and Welbeck. With injuries and form a real worry for Roy Hodgson, is Vardy the key to England’s Euro campaign?
The best international teams in Europe; particularly France, Germany and Spain all have pace upfront in common, these sides are fast paced and free flowing unlike England in recent years. Vardy can bring some of the fast-paced football we have seen at the King Power Stadium this season to the international side. The only question in my opinion is whether Hodgson can pick a squad that can assist Vardy’s style of play.
A recent boost of form for Wayne Rooney is promising for England as most fans will be optimistic that both Vardy and Rooney can form a partnership up front for the Three Lions. There is also a crop of young free flowing players coming through the England ranks who will be in contention for a Euro 2016 call up such as, Danny Ings, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and wonder-kid Dele Alli.
Euro 2016 will surely be England’s best chance of winning a trophy with the squad available, but they will have to overcome a tough group which includes Russia, Slovakia and local rivals Wales. If the Three Lions are to challenge the top European teams, then Jamie Vardy will surely be at the centre of the action with his untameable flair and passion for the game. With his rapid rise to success, fans across the country will all hope he can fire England to Euro success in France too.
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