Ahead of Saturday’s top-of-the-table showdown with Manchester United, the Leicester City striker has credited his teammates for helping him equal Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record of scoring in 10 consecutive Premier League games. Excerpts from an interview:
Out on his own
Vardy, who matched the former Manchester United striker’s mark in Saturday’s 3-0 win over Newcastle United, leads the charts with 13 goals so far this season, four ahead of his closest competitor, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku.
Teamwork key
The 28-year-old England forward has spearheaded Leicester’s unlikely rise to the top of the table, following their impressive winning run to avoid relegation last term, but he said it was a team effort. “It’s about hard work and the players that I’ve got around me getting me into positions where I’m able to put the ball in the back of the net. It’s as simple as that,” Vardy told Sky Sports.
Balanced approach
On Leicester’s unexpected rise to the Premier League summit, Vardy said it was a joy to play in that team. “In our first year we didn’t know what to expect, it was quicker and more physical,” he said. “Confidence is sky high but everyone is very grounded. Having experience of that really does help you and if we carry on this way then who knows what will happen?”
Another record?
Leicester face second-place Manchester United at home on Saturday with Vardy looking to close in on Jimmy Dunne’s record of scoring in 12 consecutive top-flight English games for Sheffield United in the 1931/32 season.
No targets
“I didn’t expect it” Vardy said of scoring in 10 consecutive games, “and I’ve never set myself any targets. “I just wanted to improve on last year and I’ve done that, I’ve more than doubled my tally from last year.”
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