Return of Jamie Vardy: Leicester City man has never looked better

Leicester City are finally playing like reigning Premier League champions. In fact, over the last five games, no side in the division has picked up more points than the Foxes. That’s because they’ve won all of them.

That’s a feat they only managed to achieve once throughout their title-winning campaign last time out, so it’s fair to say the East Midlands outfit are finally back to their best.

And it’s no surprise to see Jamie Vardy playing a massive part in their recent successes.

Five goals and two assists in his last five league games make him one of the most prolific strikers in the division right now.

But it’s not just the numbers that have impressed us – it’s the manner in which he’s found the net.

All five of said strikes have been completely different, and they’ve shown us that the England international still has plenty more to give this Leicester side.

The Foxes improved his contract substantially back in the summer, and rightly so after the former Non-League ace netted a whopping 24 goals in the top-flight last campaign.

Up until around six weeks ago, plenty felt as though Vardy had sold his club short, having registered just five goals and picking up a red card.

The win against Liverpool on 27 February changed everything though.

Vardy can fire the Foxes to a respectable top-half finish

We saw the Vardy of old in that game. The Vardy who earned himself a place in England’s Euro 2016 squad. The Vardy who featured in the 2016 PFA Team of the Year. The Vardy who made history by becoming the first player in the Premier League to score in 11 consecutive fixtures.

And rather fittingly it was a 2015-16 Leicester-esque goal which kick-started this resurgence.

A Marc Albrighton pass split the Liverpool defence apart as Vardy broke clear and slotted the ball home. Just like he did so often last year.

He followed that up with a header to secure all three points in the second-half, before netting what turned out to be the winner against West Ham two weeks later.

That was an instinctive strike in the six-yard box after the Hammers failed to clear a corner, allowing Vardy to take his tally for the season to eight.

A volley at the weekend against Stoke City showed us the 30-year-old still knows exactly where the goal is. And just in case anyone still had doubts, his finish last night against a relegation-doomed Sunderland was only further emphasis of this.

It’s no coincidence that Leicester upturn in fortunes has come at a time where Vardy has finally found his scoring boots again. And if he can continue to maintain this kind of form between now and the end of the season, there’s every chance the Foxes can guarantee themselves a top-half finish.

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