Jamie Vardy hasn’t scored since December but will he finally break goal drought against Man City?
A lack of goals is not something you would usually associate with the Premier League‘s top scorer but that is exactly the problem facing Jamie Vardy right now.
The Leicester striker is currently experiencing his worst drought in front of goal in three years, the 0-0 draw at Wolves last weekend seeing him extend his current run to eight matches without a goal in all competitions.
The 33-year-old last found the net exactly two months ago. The last time he misfired for this long came at the dismal end of Claudio Ranieri’s tenure in February 2017.
Leicester striker Jamie Vardy is currently experiencing his worst goal drought in three years
However, due to a stunning first half of the season, he somewhat incredibly remains the leader in the race for the Golden Boot.
Vardy was playing as well as he ever has as he racked up 17 goals in Leicester’s opening 18 Premier League games, boasting one of the best conversion rates in Europe as he did so.
His exploits before Christmas mean he still stands one goal ahead of Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero.
And he will take encouragement from where the last of his strikes came, the Englishman finding the net with a delightful finish at the Etihad Stadium.
The Englishman has failed to find the net in his last eight appearances in all competitions
That’s because Vardy and his team-mates will face off against the reigning champions again, this time at the King Power on Saturday, giving him the chance to pick up where he left off back on December 21.
The former England international was afforded a rest – and time with his family after the birth of his daughter – following that game against City.
He then missed the following match against Newcastle with a calf issue and has never looked quite right since, the 16-day break seemingly killing his momentum.
And the Foxes have suffered because of it, falling well out of the title race and winning just one win of their last five since Vardy’s return with the striker only managing four shots.
The Foxes forward last found the net with a fine finish against Manchester City at the Etihad
If Brendan Rodgers’ men are to close the gap on second-placed City to one point on Saturday then you sense they’ll need their star man to get back to doing what he does best and do what he did against them last time.
And few would bet against him doing just that, no player in world football having scored more goals than the six Vardy has managed against City since Pep Guardiola took charge.
‘He’s refreshed and he’s ready to make an impact in the final part of the season,’ said Rodgers last week.
‘These things happen.
‘Part of that was he was out injured and was working his way back in.
Vardy, pictured in training on Thursday, is hoping to find the net against City once again
‘I’ve no doubt that he’s the player that will always be the threat and he’s always going to get those opportunities.
‘It’s the responsibility of the team to create opportunities for him because he’s that type of striker. He needs the last pass, or the cross. In a few games he’s been unfortunate not to score.
‘But he’s such a threat and that will come again, I’m sure.’
That time could well come at 5.30pm on Saturday.
