Leicester City: ‘Jamie Vardy Gets Lucky’ says BT Sport’s Michael Owen
By Jake Cursley
BT Sport Pundit and former Ballon d’Or winner Michael Owen has said that Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy is not a natural finisher and that he gets lucky.
Michael Owen should know a thing or two about putting away goals however after calling Leicester City star Jamie Vardy ‘lucky’ live on television last night, his long list of thoughtless statements seems to have gotten even longer.
Related Story: Leicester City: Claudio Ranieri selection headaches ahead of Copenhagen
Owen, now 36 and a pundit for BT Sport following his retirement, won the the Ballon d’Or in 2001 ahead of the legendary Raúl and Oliver Kahn after scoring 18 goals in the Premier League, pushing Liverpool into the Champions League for the first time since it was reformatted.
Vardy’s 12 consecutive goals last season saw him break the Premier League record for consecutive goals, a record formerly held by Ruud Van-Nistelrooy. This was before he signed off the season by lifting the Premier League trophy.
Michael Owen however, believes that not only his 12 consecutive goals are lucky but his entire tally of 24 last season was down to luck rather than skill.
Speaking on BT Sport prior to the Copenhagen clash Owen said:
More from Leicester City News
- Enzo Maresca hails four star Leicester players
- Harry Winks reveals his easy decision to join Leicester
- Leicester injury return dates: Coady, Praet, Cannon
- Midfielder’s Leicester contract, Souttar’s vow, international roundup
- Leicester stars among most valuable in Championship as legend’s rating drops
"“Even when he was scoring loads of goals last season he wasn’t convincing me as a natural finisher,” said Owen of Vardy, who has not scored for 12 consecutive games in all competitions now, 11 for City.”"
"“But then again Alan Shearer used a lot of brute force and power. He was a different type – not everyone finishes the same way.”"
"“He’s the type of centre-forward or type of finisher that is very much head down and hit it. He goes for power a lot. He’s not necessarily a real cute, classy type of finisher. He doesn’t once lift his head. He almost hits it through goalkeepers. To be a finisher like that you need a lot of luck – sometimes you’ll have it, sometimes you won’t.”"
It’s easy to see what Michael is trying to say, perhaps he just worded it badly, however his track record of making statements like this do not hold up well against him.
Michael Owen may be right in stating that Jamie Vardy’s style of play requires a minimal amount of luck but he’s certainly downplaying the striker instinct that Vardy has.
He does not rely on quick feet in the way that Michael Owen during his prime did, instead he knows where he wants to place the ball and is aware of the space around him to run into.
That isn’t luck, that’s talent.
Incase you were wondering what we meant by Michael Owen’s track record, you can see below some other… Questionable statements:
"“Alderweireld played really well last year for Tottenham, let’s hope he can transfer that form to Spurs this season.”"
"“That would have been a goal had it gone inside the post.”"
Next: Leicester: Foxes rotation players fail to earn advancement against Copenhagen
"“Anichebe is just pulling off Jones, which is what I would do if I was him.”"
"“When they don’t score they hardly ever win.”"