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Tag: Jamie Vardy

  • Vardy raps  reporter over age concerns

    Vardy raps  reporter over age concerns

    Former Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy said he’s eager to prove his doubters wrong as he was presented at this new club, Serie A side Cremonese.

    Vardy grew aggressive when a reporter asked whether he might be slowing down as he approaches 40.

    “You must be one of the doubters, and you’re one that I’ll have to prove wrong,” Vardy snapped back. “Now, listen, for me, age is just a number. … As long as my legs are still doing exactly what they used to and still feel as fresh as they do, then I will carry on.

    “At the moment, there are no signs of them slowing down.”

    Just like was often the case at Leicester, promoted Cremonese face a challenge to stay in Italy’s top flight and have been tipped to struggle in the league this season.

    Vardy said that he was convinced to join the Italian club after a long Zoom call with Cremonese coach Davide Nicola, who is someone who has experience keeping teams in the top division.

    “Just looking in his eyes and seeing what he wanted, that really resonated with myself and I think as a footballer it’s always nice to feel wanted,” Vardy said.

    “Having sat down with the manager and the owner, the main task is making sure we stay in the league. And if I’m honest, that’s how it was when I was at Leicester.”

    Vardy of course did much more than merely help Leicester avoid relegation, leading the team to an improbable Premier League title in 2016.

    He scored in a record 11 straight games in Leicester’s historic campaign, which is remembered as one of the great underdog stories in football history. Their title win defied preseason odds of 5,000-1.

    “There was never any, ‘We’re going to go for this.’ It was always, ‘We need to stay in the league.’ That was the main thing,” Vardy said. “So all you do, you go out, you take each one by one. You give your all, what will be will be. Back then we ended up winning quite a lot, and that’s football.”

    Cremonese, too, have exceeded expectations by opening the season with two straight wins, stunning AC Milan at the San Siro and then producing a dramatic late win over Sassuolo.

    Read Also: NFF urged to secure 18-year-old Nigeria-Argentina born River Plate star Jonathan Asuzu

    “It’s 11 vs. 11 and anyone can beat anyone,” Vardy said. “So we’ll just be working as hard as we can on the training field to make sure that we’re ready for every single game that comes up. Take them one by one and we’ll see where that takes us.”

    After 13 seasons at Leicester, 38-year-old Vardy signed a one-year contract with in Italy, with an option for a second season.

    He will wear the No. 10 shirt once worn by Gianluca Vialli at Cremonese and could make his debut at Hellas Verona on Monday.

    “His story is about dreams that become reality,” Cremonese sporting director Simone Giacchetta said. “A dream that we share.

    “We’re really pleased to have with us an example of how someone normal becomes special because of their values,” Giacchetta added.

    Maresca and Ranieri influence Vardy said that playing under Enzo Maresca at Leicester in 2023-24 prepared him for Serie A’s defensive tactics.

    “People were saying that I wouldn’t be able to adapt to that and I finished that season with 20 goals under him,” Vardy said. “You can’t never be too old to learn.”

    Vardy was also pleased that Claudio Ranieri, the Italian who coached Leicester to the Premier League title and is now a special adviser at Roma, put a good word in for him at Cremonese.

    “As for the Ranieri bit,” Vardy said. “I know that he’s sung my praises to the manager. So I better not let him down.”

  • End of an era as ‘Greatest-ever’ Vardy leaves Leicester after 13 seasons

    End of an era as ‘Greatest-ever’ Vardy leaves Leicester after 13 seasons

    Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy will leave the Premier League club at the end of the season following their relegation, bringing the curtain down on an era where he established himself as one of the greats in a team that punched above their weight.

    Vardy, who was signed from fifth-tier side Fleetwood Town for one million pounds ($1.33 million) in 2012, became the club’s greatest player of the modern age, scoring 198 goals across all competitions.

    But his most famous achievement was leading Leicester to the 2015-16 Premier League title when the team that avoided relegation the season before made a mockery of 5,000-1 odds to beat the established elite to an unlikely title.

    “Gutted that this day has come but I knew it was going to come eventually. I’ve had 13 unbelievable years at this club with lots of success, some down but the majority all highs,” the 38-year-old Vardy said in a statement.

    “It’s finally time to call it a day which I am devastated about. But I think the timing is right, just want to sincerely thank you all for taking me in as one of your own.

    Read Also: NFF mourns NPFL Match Commissioner, Abdul

    “Leicester will always have a massive place in my heart and I’ll make sure that I’ll be following for years to come in what I hope will be even more success for the club. But as for now, this is my goodbye but you will see me again, I promise.”

    His final season with Leicester is one to forget, however, with the club going down once again. But he still has five more games to breach the 200-goal mark.

    Vardy, often seen chugging down energy drinks, was a late bloomer who guided Leicester up from the Championship to the Premier League twice – in 2013-14 and again in 2023-24.

    But it was in the English top flight where he made his mark, scoring 143 times to sit 15th  on the list of the Premier League top scorers.

    In Leicester’s magical title run under Italian manager Claudio Ranieri, Vardy’s devastating pace to get in behind the defence and his eye for goal made him one of the most feared strikers in the division.

    It was during that spell when Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for scoring in most consecutive Premier League matches, finding the net in 11 straight games.

    Vardy was named Premier League Player of the Season for his goal scoring exploits.

    Four years later, aged 33, Vardy excelled once again when he picked up the Golden Boot for most goals, netting 23 times to become the oldest player to win the award.

    He leaves Leicester having also won the FA Cup in 2020-21 and two second-tier Championship titles.

    “Jamie is unique. He is a special player and an even more special person. He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City,” the club’s Chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha said. “He certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this football club.”

  • Ndidi excited after scooping MVP award

    SUPER Eagles midfielder Wilfried Ndidi is looking forward to fulfilling week after he was names the Most Valuable player in Leicester’s 5-0 drubbing of Newcastle on Sunday in the English Premiership.

    Ndidi, who crowned his effort with the last goal (his second of the season) in the emphatic win, took to Twitter to express his delight.

    Despite Jamie Vardy’s brace, it was Ndidi that was awarded the man of the match, but the 22-year-old chose to focus more on the team’s performance.

    The former Genk midfielder took to Twitter after the match to praise the team’s performance. “Buzzing into the new week with +3points and a great performance from the team,” he said.

    Joao Periera put Brendan Rodgers side ahead before Jamie Vardy added a second few minutes after the restart. A Paul Dummett own goal compounded Newcastle’s misery, then Vardy grabbed his second before Ndidi rounded off the scoring in the closing moments.

    His manager, Brendan Rogers said his side gave a five-star display that puts them in the third position on the Premier League Table.

    “I thought we were exciting going forward. What was also good I felt, that especially in the second half, how we managed to play against 10 men, because it’s never easy.

    “The players had real concentration and real focus in the game. The speed of the game was good, and we kept that intensity in the game and then scored some wonderful goals,” Rodgers told LCFC website.

    Next up for Ndidi and Leicester is a trip to Anfield where they will face league leaders Liverpool on Saturday.

  • EPL: Vardy strike gives Leicester win at Everton

    Jamie Vardy’s 58th minute strike gave Leicester City a 1-0 win at Everton on Tuesday and condemned the Merseysiders to their fourth defeat in five English Premier League games.

    Leicester boss Claude Puel made four changes from the team which lost to Cardiff City on Saturday, including leaving midfielder James Maddison on the bench.

    Also, Marco Silva recalled Brazilian Richarlison to his starting line-up.

    After a poor first half, the decisive goal came when Everton defender Michael Keane mis-controlled the ball to Ricardo Pereira, who sent Vardy through.

    The striker made no mistake with a low drive past Jordan Pickford, before celebrating with a cartwheel in front of the travelling Foxes’ fans.

    Gylfi Sigurdsson blasted over from a promising position for Everton, but Leicester should have doubled their lead when Harry Maguire somehow missed the target from point-blank range.

    Everton, with just one win from their last eight games, have now failed to win in their last four home matches.

    The win moves Leicester up into seventh place, on 31 points, four behind Manchester United.

    Everton manager Silva was frank in his assessment of his team’s performance.

    “A disappointing result, poor performance to be honest. In this moment we have to be honest and look clear at the game.

    Read Also: Vardy earns Leicester narrow win at Chelsea

    “Poor performance since the first minute. We knew what they came here to do, playing a 4-5-1 and waiting for our mistake,” said the Portuguese who accepted his players looked nervous.

    “When you play so anxious you make easy mistakes like the one we conceded. There is no reason they are under the normal pressure we’ll find the reason for that,” Silva added.

    Puel was delighted with the way his team carried out his gameplan.

    “The organisation of the team was perfect and I am happy for the players because we lost our last game at home to Cardiff and it was not a fair result,” the Frenchman said.

    “We said after that game we wanted to take three points away. It was a difficult challenge of course, but the team showed character.

    “We know all the players are tired like us, but the most important thing was to show our strength in this moment. We needed to have a different adaptation for this game.

    “In this situation it is not just the quality, but the physical makes a difference. We needed to find the right situation to move.”

  • Vardy earns Leicester narrow win at Chelsea

    Jamie Vardy’s well-taken breakaway goal helped Leicester to earn a 1-0 win at Chelsea on Saturday to ease the pressure on coach Claude Puel.

    The victory also inflicted on the hosts their first home English Premier League defeat of the season.

    The English striker’s goal in the 51st minute earned the visitors only their second win in six league matches.

    They also put up a determined defensive display to keep Chelsea forward Eden Hazard at bay.

    The Belgian winger, deployed in a false nine role by Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri, came closest in the first half as he struck the crossbar with a fierce drive.

    The hosts dominated possession but failed to create many clear chances.

    Vardy made Chelsea pay shortly after the break, finishing lethally after James Maddison slipped him through at the end of a quick counter-attack.

    Hazard came close again but was denied by a brilliant Kasper Schmeichel save, while Cesar Azpilicueta’s last-ditch block stopped Vardy adding another with a clever backheel.

    Chelsea almost found an equaliser in the 90th minute but Marcos Alonso hit the inside of the post and the ball rolled agonisingly across the face of goal and out.(Reuters/NAN)

  • Bye to National team: Like Vardy like Moses

    England international and Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy has announced his retirement from international football, citing desire to concentrate on club football and have time for family as reasons for the move.

    The 31 year old who was part of the Three Lions squad to the World cup in Russia has already communicated head coach

    Gareth Southgate of his decision. Vardy’s reason is the same with that presented by Chelsea winger and Nigerian international Victor Moses few weeks back. Both players were in Russia where their teams crashed out in the first round and semi-finals respectively.

    Vardy has however not ruled out the possibility of a bounce back in the event of injury crisis but believes the time is right to move back from international duty. Vardy who was capped over 26 times scoring seven times for the Three Lions has scored over 83 goals for Leicester still counting.

    ‘This has been on my mind for a while,’ Vardy told the Guardian. ‘I’m not getting any younger and you can see, to be fair to the gaffer, he wants to make it more youthful, which obviously had its benefits during the World Cup.

    ‘So I just said to Gareth that I think it’s probably best from now on, especially with the way he wants to go, to bring youngsters in who he thinks have got the ability and start nurturing them into international football.’

    Vardy, who was joined by Gary Cahill in calling time on his international career on Tuesday, rose from non-league football to win the Premier League title and earn 26 England caps, scoring seven goals. He played at Euro 2016 and this summer’s World Cup.

    While Southgate may have been on the same page with Vardy, Moses’ exit was a surprise to Super Eagles coach Gernot Rohr who has hinted he will talk to the 27 year old with view to making him consider a change of mind.

     

     

     

     

     

  • Walcott grabs brace as Everton beat Leicester

    Walcott grabs brace as Everton beat Leicester

    Theo Walcott scored twice in his second appearance for Everton as they beat Leicester City 2-1 at home on Wednesday to move further clear of English Premier League relegation danger.

    Walcott, who joined Everton from Arsenal for about 20 million pounds in the current transfer window, converted Gylfi Sigurdsson’s low cross from close range after 26 minutes.

    He then volleyed home before half-time to double the lead.

    Jamie Vardy reduced the arrears from the penalty kick spot deep into the second half.

    Read Also: Walcott   left Arsenal with his things in bin bags

    This was after the referee spotted a Wayne Rooney foul on Wilfred Ndidi, to set up a nervy finale for the hosts in which Leicester’s Kelechi Iheanacho twice hit the woodwork.

    Everton, who flirted with relegation danger earlier in the season, are ninth in the table while Leicester are three points above Sam Allardyce’s side in seventh.

    NAN

  • 10 Transfers that could still happen before the end of the window.

    10 Transfers that could still happen before the end of the window.

    1. Fernando Javier Llorente Torres to Chelsea::

    Born 26 February 1985, nicknamed El Rey León is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as a striker for Welsh club Swansea City and the Spain national team.

    Llorente started his career with Athletic Bilbao, working his way through the various youth ranks and becoming one of the most important offensive players for the club in the following decade, since making his first team debut in 2005. He scored 29 goals in all competitions in the 2011–12 season, and was described as a “Bilbao legend”.

    Antonio Conte has long had an admirer of the experienced forward, with the Chelsea boss having signed Llorente once before while he was Juventus manager. However, Swans boss and former Madrid assistant Paul Clement said on Sunday that “I’m confident of keeping Fernando and I see no reason why I shouldn’t be”. Clement has also previously stated that he’d had reassurances from the World Cup winner that he would not be leaving South Wales. With Swansea’s other big name, Gylfi Siggurdson, having departed for £45m, one would think the Swans will choose to keep Llorente even in the face of big-money offers.

    He has been a subject of a transfer to Chelsea since last season and the rumour resurfaces again and unless Swansea get a replacement for him, they are unwilling to release him.

    Likelihood of the transfer: 50/50

    9.Jamie Vardy to Everton or Chelsea: 

    Jamie Richard Vardyborn 11 January 1987 is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for Premier League club Leicester City and the England national team.

    Vardy began his senior career with Stockbridge Park Steels, breaking into the first team in 2007 and spending three seasons before joining Northern Premier League club FC Halifax Town in 2010. Scoring 26 goals in his debut season, he won the club’s “Player’s Player of the Year” award, and then moved to Conference Premier Club Fleetwood Town in August 2011 for an undisclosed fee. He scored 31 league goals in his first season at his new team, winning the team’s “Player of the Year” award as they won the division.. In the 2015–16 Premier League season, he scored in eleven consecutive Premier League matches, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record, and was voted the Premier League Player of the Season and FWA Footballer of the Year as outsiders Leicester won the title. Vardy made his international debut in June 2015 and was selected for UEFA Euro 2016.

    It would not surprise anyone were Leicester to cash in on the former factory worker, especially with Chelsea and Everton prepared to pay £40m for his services. Vardy may well feel that this summer is his last chance of a big move, and with Leicester failing to repeat their wonder-season from 2015/16, a move would seem the logical step for the England international.

    Likelihood of the transfer: 50/50

    1. Jonny Evans to Manchester City: 

    Jonathan Grant “Jonny” Evans (born 3 January 1988) is a Northern Irish professional footballer who plays as a defender for and captains Premier League club West Bromwich Albion and plays for the Northern Ireland national team. Evans was born in Belfast and started his career at Green island FC, where he was spotted by Manchester United scouts. He progressed through Manchester United’s football Academy to play in several foreign tours in the summer of 2006. He made his Manchester United first team debut in the 2007–2008 League Cup, becoming a regular first-team squad member the following season. Evans is the second most decorated player in Northern Irish football history with 10 major trophies.

    However Evans’s recently-granted status as West Brom captain means that Tony Pulis is reluctant to sell. Evans himself has just declared loyalty to the Midlands outfit – on Sunday, he stated in West Brom’s matchday programme that “until anybody tells me different, I’m committed to the Albion and I’m only thinking about getting in this team”. As well as rebuffing Manchester City’s bid of £18m, Pulis’s side have also rebuffed a bid of more than £20m from Leicester City.

    Pep Guardiola seems to be angry with the defensive options he has at his disposal and wants to get a defender with a champion’s league experience.

    Likelihood of the transfer: Not Sure

    7.Virgil van Dijk to Liverpool: 

    Virgil van Dijk (born 8 July 1991) is a Dutch professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Premier League club Southampton and the Netherlands national team.

    After beginning his career with Groningen, he moved to Celtic in 2013, where he won the Scottish Premiership and was named in the PFA Scotland Team of the Year in both of his seasons, also winning the Scottish League Cup in the latter. In September 2015, he joined Southampton.

    Van Dijk made his international debut for the Netherlands in 2015. After a successful 2016–17 season at Southampton Van Dijk was subject to interest from Liverpool who apologized to Southampton for an illegal approach on the player after having reportedly made his interest in a move to Liverpool clear. On 7 August 2017, Van Dijk handed in a transfer request to Southampton and released a statement along with it, emphasizing his wish to join a different club in the transfer window.

    Van Dijk has repeatedly made it clear he wants out from St Mary’s this summer, handing in a transfer request and even refusing to make himself available for pre-season matches. Mauricio Pellegrino’s side, however, seems utterly unwilling to let Van Dijk’s petulance win out. Their stance – that he is going nowhere – has never wavered.

    Likelihood of the transfer: Liverpool

    6.Renato Sanches to Liverpool or Swansea: 

    Renato Júnior Luz Sanches born 18 August 1997, is a Portuguese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for German club Bayern Munich and the Portugal national team.

    He began his career at Benfica, making his professional debut for the reserves in October 2014 and for the first team in October 2015. In his only season for them, the team won the Primeira Liga and Taça da Liga. He then agreed on a move to Bayern Munich for an initial €35 million, the then highest fee for a Portuguese player leaving the domestic league.

    He made his full international debut in March 2016 and was chosen for UEFA Euro 2016 in France, at the age of 18, making him the youngest Portuguese to play in an international tournament, and the youngest player to win a Euro 2016 Final. He scored one goal during the competition and won the Young Player of the Tournament as Portugal captured the title for the first time in their history. He was the recipient of the 2016 Golden Boy Award.

    Sanches has himself expressed a desire to leave Bayern. Consequently, a clutch of upper-level Premier League sides have attempted to sign him this summer. Liverpool’s overtures have been particularly strong, and Sanches is very much a Jürgen Klopp player: young, hungry and swashbuckling in possession, but Liverpool’s attentions may be elsewhere.

    Likelihood of the transfer: Swansea.

    5. Shkodran Mustafi to Inter Milan: 

    Shkodran Mustafi born 17 April 1992 is a German professional footballer who plays as a central defender for English club Arsenal and the Germany national team.

    He began his career in the youth ranks of Hamburger SV and English club Everton, where he made one substitute appearance in two-and-a-half-years before leaving to Sampdoria in January 2012. He signed a five-year deal at Valencia in August 2014, and moved to Arsenal for a reported £35 million two years later.

    Mustafi made his full international debut against Poland on 13 May 2014, and was part of the German teams that won the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup. Mustafi joined English club Arsenal for an undisclosed fee, reported to be in excess of £35 million. He made his debut in Arsenal’s 2–1 Premier League win over Southampton at the Emirates Stadium on 10 September. Mustafi beat Bacary Sagna’s record unbeaten start of 17 games at the club in Arsenal’s 3–3 draw against Bournemouth with his 18th game without defeat. The former Sampdoria player is believed to be yearning for a return to Italy’s warmer climes, with Inter Milan heavily linked to the German international. Though the Nerazzurri were rumoured to be interested in signing Mustafi on loan with an option to buy him later, Arsenal would prefer a permanent transfer after paying Valencia £35m for his services only one year ago. But unless Inter suddenly decide to cough up a bucketful of cash, it looks as if Mustafi won’t be leaving the Emirates any time soon.

    Likelihood of the transfer:  Unlikely

    4.Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain to Chelsea or Liverpool:

    Alexander Mark David Oxlade-Chamberlain born 15 August 1993 is an English professional footballer who plays as a winger for Premier League club Arsenal and the England national team.

    After rising to prominence with Southampton during the 2010–11 season aged 17, he signed for Arsenal in August 2011. Scoring twice in his first three matches for the club, Oxlade-Chamberlain became the youngest English goal scorer in UEFA Champions League history and has also claimed a regular place in the England Under-21s team. Fans have nicknamed Oxlade-Chamberlain “The Ox”, derived from the first part of his surname, as well as his physical tenacity and powerful playing style.

    Oxlade-Chamberlain made his debut for the senior England team on 26 May 2012 in a 1–0 win against Norway in a friendly. Following this, he received a surprise call-up to the England squad for UEFA Euro 2012, becoming the second youngest player ever to represent England in the European Championships behind Wayne Rooney.

    Although the 24-year-old was offered an improved contract in early July, his rejection of it clearly signalled his desire to leave. Boss Arsene Wenger has expressed a desire to keep the England winger, but there is a sense that Oxlade-Chamberlain is replaceable, unlike a certain Chilean forward. Antonio Conte and Jurgen Klopp are thought to be extremely keen on signing Oxlade-Chamberlain, with the ex-Southampton man’s versatility appealing to the Italian. It remains to be seen exactly how much Chelsea are willing to pay for a player with a dubious injury record, however.

    Chelsea agreed a $35m deal to buy him from Arsenal on Tuesday but Oxlade reject the chance to play for Chelsea and chooses to prefer waiting for Liverpool to make their offer for him.

    Likelihood of the transfer. Likely Liverpool

    3. Danny Drinkwater to Chelsea:

    Daniel Noel Drinkwater born 5 March 1990 is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Premier League club Leicester City and the England national team. He has previously spent time on loan at Huddersfield Town, Cardiff City, Watford, Barnsley, and played for Manchester United, and has played internationally for England at under-18, under-19 levels.

    Drinkwater had his most successful year as a professional, scoring seven goals and being named to the PFA Championship Team of the Year alongside teammates Kasper Schmeichel and Wes Morgan, as Leicester were promoted to the Premier League after winning the Championship. On 17 June 2014On 25 August 2016, Drinkwater signed a long term contract to remain with the club to 2021.

    Leicester city are currently insisting on £40m for Drinkwater, having rejected a £25m bid from Chelsea earlier this month. Chelsea believes, however, that Leicester city are just waiting to sign a pre-emptive replacement for Drinkwater before cashing in. Even in this age of inflated transfer fees, £40m seems too much for a player who is struggling to make the England squad. It is difficult to believe that Foxes are standing in the way of a move should the Blues mount an offer north of £30m

    Likelihood of the transfer.50/50

    2.Alexis Sanchez to Manchester City:

    Alexis Alejandro Sánchez, also nicknamed El Niño Maravillaand “Ardilla”, was born 19 December 1988, also known as simply Alexis, is a Chilean professional footballer who plays as a forward for English club Arsenal and the Chile national team.

    After his debut season of first-team football with Cobreloa, Sánchez was signed by Italy’s Udinese in 2006. Following successful loans at Colo-Colo and River Plate, he began playing in Serie A. In 2011, he was signed by Barcelona for £25 million, becoming the most expensive transfer in Chilean football history.Sánchez signed for Arsenal in July 2014 for a fee reported to be £31.7 million, making him the third-most expensive signing in the club’s history after Mesut Özil and Granit Xhaka.He has been a full international for Chile since 2006, and has earned 115 caps, making him the team’s joint most capped player of all-time, alongside goalkeeper Claudio Bravo. With 38 goals, he is La Roja’s highest top scorer of all-time. He also played in two FIFA World Cups (2010and 2014) and the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, as well as three Copa América tournaments, winning two of the latter.

    Two major factors point towards the Chilean’s departure from North London in the next few days. First, as has been widely reported, his wage demands are astronomical. Manchester City are perhaps the only club in the world willing to lavish Sanchez with in excess of £400,000-a-week. Secondly – and this is perhaps bound up with his wage demands – Sanchez’s commitment to Arsenal has seemingly faltered as time has elapsed. In July he claimed to be ill in a less-than-convincing Instagram post after Arsenal had expressly stated he was returning to training, and on Sunday he was spotted seemingly laughing on the bench while the Gunners were being thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool.

    Likelihood of the transfer: much unlikely

    1: Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona:

    Philippe Coutinho Correia born 12 June 1992 is a Brazilian professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder and winger for Premier League club Liverpool and the Brazil national team.

    Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Coutinho showed prodigious talent and excelled in Vasco da Gama’s youth system. He was signed by Italian side Internazionale in 2008 for €4 million and subsequently loaned back to Vasco, where he became a key player. He made his debut for Internazionale in 2010 and was seen as the “future of Inter”, but struggled to establish himself in the first team and was loaned to Spanish club Espanyol in 2012.

    In January 2013, he was signed by English team Liverpool for £8.5 million. He flourished at Anfield; his combination of vision, passing, dribbling and long-range strikes earned him the nickname Little Magician from Liverpool fans and teammates.  After he was named in the 2015 PFA Team of the Year, Brazilian legend Pelétipped Coutinho for a “great future”.

    Coutinho made his senior debut for Brazil in 2010 at the age of 18. He has since made over 20 appearances and represented the nation at the 2015 Copa Américaand the Copa América Centenario.

    The fleet-footed playmaker has been linked with Nou Camp for the entire summer, or so it seems. Reports in Spain suggest Liverpool’s hardline stance against selling Coutinho has softened in recent days, but the Reds would still rather refuse to sell the Brazilian than leave complex transfer negotiations to the last minute. A struggling Barcelona are prepared to offer well in excess of £100m to secure the Brazilian’s services, emboldened by their £200m windfall from Neymar’s PSG move, but the sticking point remains Fenway Sports Group’s willingness – or lack thereof – to sacrifice Liverpool’s star man

    Likelihood of the transfer: Unlikely

     

  • Vardy shows off £50,000 watch and wash bag

    Vardy shows off £50,000 watch and wash bag

     

    Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has come a long way from when he played for Halifax and Fleetwood in the National League.

    These days he has a Premier League winner’s medal and can say he’s played in the Champions League.

    His bank balance has also inflated over the last few years and that has allowed him to indulge in a some of life’s luxuries.

    On Friday he showed off his £53,225 watch as he arrived at Leicester’s team hotel in Birmingham ahead of their league match against West Brom.

    The watch, manufactured by Richard Mille, is made of titanium. It ‘has been constructed according to an extremely rigorous specification, in the manner of the analytical engineering methods used in the design of Formula 1 racing cars’.

    The former Stocksbridge Park Steels forward was also snapped holding a personalised wash bag with pictures of his wife Rebekah and daughter Sofia. He was also wearing a £1,000 Louis Vuitton backpack.

    Vardy stopped briefly to sign autographs before entering the team hotel to prepare for Saturday’s Premier League clash against the Baggies.

    He has scored twice in his last five games for Leicester, with his last goal coming in the 1-1 draw against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

    He will be aiming to add to his tally at The Hawthorns as the Foxes go in search of their first win in four games

  • Kane, Vardy, Mahrez in PFA Team of the Year

    Kane, Vardy, Mahrez in PFA Team of the Year

    Eight players from Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have been included in the Professional Footballers’ Association Premier League Team of the Year.

    Jamie Vardy is one of the four players picked from league leaders Leicester, while Premier League top scorer, Harry Kane will lead three other Spurs players into the team, the BBC reports.

    Arsenal midfielder, Mesut Ozil, a PFA Player of the Year nominee, missed out of the team.

    The PFA had planned to reveal the team at its annual awards ceremony on Sunday but said it was forced to publish early because the details were leaked.

    It blamed a member of the public for choosing “to deliberately leak our representative teams from the official brochure of the awards evening.”

    The players’ representative body added: “As a matter of urgency, we are seeking a detailed explanation from the brochure printers as to how they were able to secure a copy of the publication.”

    Kane has scored 24 league goals this season for Tottenham, who lies five points behind Leicester with four games remaining.

    As well as Vardy, Wes Morgan, N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez are included from Leicester, while Toby Alderweireld, Danny Rose and Dele Alli join Kane from Tottenham.

    Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea, Arsenal full-back Hector Bellerin and West Ham’s Dimitri Payet make up the rest of the team.