Craig Shakespeare brands Jamie Vardy as “a pest on the training ground”
Craig Shakespeare has branded Jamie Vardy as an absolute pest at the training ground ahead of Leicester City’s first home game of the season against Brighton and Hove Albion – but that’s something that he admires.
The Foxes’ boss has spent a fair bit of his coaching career with Vardy, and now he has revealed just how big a headache can the ebullient forward be.
The former Fleetwood Town hitman got his Premier League season off to a terrific start, scoring twice against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium to almost give his side an unlikely away victory against the Gunners.
Safe to say, Shakey was mighty impressed with his main man – as he always has been – though he still thinks of Jamie Vardy as a pest.
"“He’s a pest on the pitch – and off it. If you are ever doing a coaching session you’ll see that,” he was quoted as saying by the Daily Mail. “You set the balls up all neat and you can guarantee he’s the first one to smash them everywhere. So, yes, he’s still a pest.”"
Craig Shakespeare also shared his first memory of the non-league striker, and how he convinced himself to let Leicester City spend £1 million on Jamie Vardy, which he thinks was a serious amount of money.
"“When we first saw him we saw the attributes he still has today,” says Shakespeare.“He was a pest on the shoulder of defenders and running behind. He’s had those attributes all through his career.“It persuaded us to spend £1m on him from non-league which seemed like an awful lot of money.”“But I never questioned spending that amount – never.”"
It’s no secret that Jamie Vardy has his own ways of doing things on and off the pitch. He doesn’t quite hold himself back when trying to live his life to the full, but according to Craig Shakespeare, that doesn’t affect the 30-year old’s game at all.
"“He’s unique – his Red Bull fascination and all that – but underneath it all he knows the things he needs to do.“I’m really pleased with the way he’s started. We need a fully-charged Jamie Vardy.“When you’ve got that, he’s a threat against any team. I’m really pleased with the way he’s started.”"
Leicester City would be hoping to see more of the same from Jamie Vardy as they aim for a spot in Europe. The England international appeared to be in top form against Arsenal, and if he continues that way, the East Midlands outfit may well be able to achieve what they are aiming for.