Jamie Vardy: The Premier League’s Leading Scorer
On 21 September 2014, Leicester City came from 3-1 down to beat Manchester United 5-3 at King Power Stadium in one of the most memorable afternoons in the Club’s recent history.
The game was also significant for one player in particular and announced him onto the national stage. That player was, of course, Jamie Vardy.
It was on that day the future England international scored his first Premier League goal, also setting up two more, in Leicester's comeback victory, before scooping the Man of the Match award.
Friday Fives: Jamie Vardy
Jamie Vardy is in fine form - he's scored in five consecutive Premier League games!
Six-and-a-half years later, Vardy stands on 99 goals in the Premier League, just one away from a historic goalscoring landmark.
He could become the 29th player in Premier League history to achieve the feat, and will reach it in the second-least amount of games, were he to score in one of his next 10 matches.
The Foxes forward is no stranger to breaking records. In 2015/16, his second season as a top flight player, he broke Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s 12-year record by scoring in 11 consecutive games.
Leicester's first-ever Premier League title followed at the end of that campaign, along with the coveted Player of the Season award and Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year prize.
He has been remarkably consistent in front of goal ever since netting 24 times that season, followed by 13, 20 and 18 goals in the three succeeding campaigns respectively.
This season has been no different. Vardy currently sits top of the Premier League’s goalscoring charts after 26 games, with 19 goals to his name.
He has already surpassed his tally from last season, despite featuring in eight fewer matches.
The 33-year-old shows no signs of slowing down, despite missing some of the action over the New Year period.
His shooting accuracy is up from 51 per cent in 2018/19 to 59 per cent in 2019/20, as is his goals per game ratio, from 0.53 to 0.73.
He also added a second City hat-trick to his name earlier this campaign, netting three in the 9-0 victory over Southampton at St. Mary's Stadium, taking a match ball home for the first time since a stunning trio of goals against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City during the 2016/17 campaign.
Wednesday Wonderstrike: Jamie Vardy vs. Manchester City
Riyad Mahrez with the pass, Jamie Vardy with the finish - it's this week's Wednesday Wonderstrike!
His closest rival for the golden boot is currently Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (17) with Liverpool's Mo Salah and Manchester City forward Sergio Agüero next in line - both have 16 as things stand.
“The whole stadium was just lifted when he came on the pitch,” Gerry Taggart commented on LCFC Radio after City's 4-0 defeat of Aston Villa, in which Vardy made his return from the sidelines.
“His first run was a scampering one to put the pressure on the ‘keeper (Pepe Reina) and the crowd just responded. It just shows you there’s no substitute for hard work.”
Vardy netted twice from the bench in that impressive victory over Villa at King Power Stadium to consolidate the Foxes' third-place position in the standings.
“Vardy has been Leicester City’s main man for six or seven years now. He is a vital and integral part of this team,” Taggart added.
He is far and away Leicester City’s all-time Premier League top scorer, 60 goals ahead of second place Riyad Mahrez.
In terms of longevity, meanwhile, Vardy’s 202 games in the Premier League is only surpassed by Muzzy Izzet, who stands on 222 top flight appearances for the Foxes.
With 62 goals on his right foot, 25 on his left foot and 12 headers, Vardy will have his sights set on that 100th Premier League goal, but won’t mind which of those columns he adds to.
One imagines it is only a matter of time before he reaches the milestone and joins an elite list of Premier League greats.