Leicester City's Jamie Vardy will cope with life as a marked man, says Claudio Ranieri
By RobTanner
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy will be a marked man this season after his goal scoring exploits as City stormed to the Premier League title.
The England striker scored 24 times and set a new Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive games, and his exploits have meant he is no longer a surprise package in the Premier League.
On the eve of a new season, manager Claudio Ranieri says Vardy will again have a prominent role to play and is backing him to be able to deal with the extra attention defenders will now inevitably pay him.
"It is difficult to stop Jamie when he is in good shape or condition, but of course there are opponents and there will be tough matches," said Ranieri ahead of tomorrow's clash with Hull City at the KCOM Stadium.
"I hope the referees are very attentive
and if there is something wrong they give penalties or free-kick, but
he must stay calm because of course now everybody wants to stop him.
"He is an intelligent player so I am sure he will be able to deal with it."
Vardy maybe the talisman striker and will lead City's attack this season, but Ranieri said City must have alternative plans in place and said Ahmed Musa's arrival will ease the burden on Vardy.
The £16 million signing from CSKA Moscow has impressed during pre-season and could even partner Vardy in the season curtain-raiser at Hull.
"We also want to be ready with plan B if Jamie can't score," said Ranieri.
"Last season Jamie didn't score for around two months but he made a lot of passes and Riyad [Mahrez] scored.
"It's not important for me who scores, whether it's Jamie or Schmeichel.
"Musa isn't here to challenge him. It's important to have another player who can play in a similar way to Jamie. That's it.
"Also Musa can play in a wide position, behind Jamie or alongside Jamie.
"It's important to have a good choice for me so I can choose the first XI line-up and also during the match I can read the match and maybe say 'I need this kind of player or another'.
"My players must be ready to do what I expect.
"During the training session we change a lot – Shinji Okazaki and Musa, Okazaki and Vardy, Vardy and Leo Ulloa, Vardy and Musa…
"We do this to open our mind to the movement."
"He is an intelligent player so I am sure he will be able to deal with it."
Vardy maybe the talisman striker and will lead City's attack this season, but Ranieri said City must have alternative plans in place and said Ahmed Musa's arrival will ease the burden on Vardy.
The £16 million signing from CSKA Moscow has impressed during pre-season and could even partner Vardy in the season curtain-raiser at Hull.
"We also want to be ready with plan B if Jamie can't score," said Ranieri.
"Last season Jamie didn't score for around two months but he made a lot of passes and Riyad [Mahrez] scored.
"It's not important for me who scores, whether it's Jamie or Schmeichel.
"Musa isn't here to challenge him. It's important to have another player who can play in a similar way to Jamie. That's it.
"Also Musa can play in a wide position, behind Jamie or alongside Jamie.
"It's important to have a good choice for me so I can choose the first XI line-up and also during the match I can read the match and maybe say 'I need this kind of player or another'.
"My players must be ready to do what I expect.
"During the training session we change a lot – Shinji Okazaki and Musa, Okazaki and Vardy, Vardy and Leo Ulloa, Vardy and Musa…
"We do this to open our mind to the movement."
Posts
0 Comments