Brighton 1-2 Leicester: 3 Foxes talking points
By Joe Reilly
Jamie Vardy is out of form
I’d like to preface this by stating that Jamie Vardy is my favourite football player ever, and that arguably the greatest years in Leicester City’s history are in no small part a result of this man’s qualities. However, it must be said that he is shockingly out of form.
Vardy’s goal record this season stands at 12 goals in 24 games, with 5 assists to boot. At first glance, a goal every two games is a pretty excellent return for any striker, though when you factor in that half of these were penalties, it becomes a little less impressive. Though 6 goals in 24 games still isn’t awful, it’s far below his usual standards.
Moreover, if you set aside Alisson’s gift to the Englishman vs. Liverpool, then the Sheffield-born striker hasn’t scored an open play goal since Leicester’s last meeting with Brighton, all the way back on 13th December. The man’s desperation to end his dry spell shows on the pitch, and it’s starting to affect his decision making.
Vardy is no stranger to a mid-season slump, going nine matches without scoring last season and even going seven games without scoring almost directly after breaking the consecutive goal record in 2015/16 (ironic, I know). However, it’s clear to me that the striker is still feeling the effects of his hernia operation and isn’t quite back to full fitness.
He’s likely only still playing due to Leicester’s current lack of attacking options, more or less forcing Brendan Rodgers to opt for two up front. With all this is mind, I don’t believe that it’s “the beginning of the end” for the Foxes’ talisman and have no doubt that he’ll bounce back from this stronger than ever.