Foxes scent title as Vardy honored
Print Edition
LEICESTER City’s Jamie Vardy has been voted Player of the Year by the Football Writers’ Association in the latest twist to his fairytale ride from minor-league journeyman to international striker.
The 29-year-old, who built his career at clubs like Stocksbridge, Halifax Town and Fleetwood Town, has notched 22 goals this season to help fire Leicester from a 5,000-1 outsider to odds-on favorite to win the Premier League title.
Vardy, who also became the first man to score in 11 successive Premier League matches, is the first Englishman to collect the FWA honor since Scott Parker in 2011, and the first Leicester player to win it in the award’s 68-year history.
“It’s a great honor to win such a prestigious award and to have my name added to a list of previous winners that includes some unbelievable players. Thank you to the Football Writers’ Association and to everyone that voted,” Vardy said yesterday.
England forward Vardy won 36 percent of the votes, beating teammates Riyad Mahrez and N’Golo Kante, who finished second and third.
“The Jamie Vardy story clearly captured the imagination of so many writers,” FWA chairman Andy Dunn said. “His record-breaking feat of scoring in 11 consecutive matches is the jewel in what will surely be Leicester City’s Premier League crown.”
Vardy’s teammates Danny Drinkwater, Kasper Schmeichel, Wes Morgan and Danny Simpson also received votes from the 290 journalists polled.
“It is testament to their all-round excellence that so many Leicester players polled votes,” Dunn added.
Claudio Ranieri’s men have an 8-point lead over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur and will be crowned champions if Spurs fail to win at Chelsea yesterday.
Vardy, who was suspended for Leicester’s previous two games, will return for its home match against Everton on Saturday.
Drinkwater, meanwhile, has escaped an extended ban, media reports said yesterday after he reacted angrily to being sent off in the 1-1 draw at Manchester United over the weekend.
Drinkwater is automatically suspended for the clash with Everton but, according to British media, he faces no further action because Sunday’s incident was not mentioned in referee Michael Oliver’s report.
The England midfielder collected a second booking near the end of the match at Old Trafford for bringing down United winger Memphis Depay on the edge of the penalty area and only left the field after squaring up to Oliver.
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