James Maddison lauds Jamie Vardy as the Leicester pair become Premier League’s latest dynamic duo
When James Maddison signed for Leicester two years ago, the chance to forge a partnership with Jamie Vardy was the main attraction.
When he is not playing football, Maddison is usually watching it. He had studied Vardy’s performances and was convinced the pair could strike up a prolific relationship.
He was right – Maddison and Vardy are arguably as important to their team as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min are to Spurs. Whichever duo has the better of Sunday’s encounter may decide who takes the points. Tottenham start favourites, but Leicester’s formidable away record in the league – five wins from six – means Brendan Rodgers’ men should not be taken lightly.
Duo James Maddison (left) and Jamie Vardy have ensured the goals have rained in for Leicester
The flying Foxes have their tails up thanks to one of the Premier League’s most potent pairings
‘In my first season, the understanding with Jamie Vardy was there straight away,’ Maddison told Sportsmail.
‘I played as a No 10 for most of that year, we were always close to each other on the pitch and we linked up very well in training.
‘When I signed for Leicester, I remember saying to my friends and family that I thought we could get a really good connection on the pitch. I was confident I could set up a few goals for him, and hopefully vice-versa.
‘He knows the little pockets of space I take up, the movements I make and what I’m looking to do with my first touch.
Here’s how Vardy and Maddison compare to several of the greatest attackers of recent times
‘When you play with someone so regularly, this is what happens. Before I receive the ball, when I look up and see him, I know what run he is going to make. He is so quick and I know where he wants the ball to be played.
‘For example, when we won at AEK Athens in the Europa League, I got the ball and I knew he was going to make a diagonal run from right to left. That was just a straight pass for me and we won a penalty.’
The numbers this season show how effective they can be. Vardy has 12 goals and four assists in all competitions, Maddison five and three, though Maddison’s tally has come from only 10 starts as he returns from hip surgery.
Vardy has been deadly on the road. Only two of his 10 league goals have been at the King Power Stadium.
Harry Kane (left) and Son Heung-min have also earned their spurs within a prolific partnership
The 33-year-old needs one more to move past Ian Wright and Romelu Lukaku on the Premier League’s all-time list. Steven Gerrard, seven ahead of Vardy with 120, will be next in his sights.
But it is no one-way street. Maddison’s second goal in the 3-0 win over Brighton, a curling strike into the top corner, was one of the best at the King Power this season, but it would not have been possible without Vardy’s clever run and lay-off.
‘I don’t give the ‘world-class’ shout too much because it can be over-used, but he is a world-class striker,’ Maddison added.
‘He is a pleasure to play with. When you score as many goals as he does, you will get into any team.
Kane and Son are first and third while Vardy and Maddison are second and fourth in terms of goal involvement rankings in the Premier League so far in an impressive season for the quartet
