The Leicester City forward quit the national team assignment after helping the Three Lions to finish fourth in the 2018 World Cup that Russia hosted. He hang his boots after representing England Senior team on 26 appearances.
Despite only attracting few national duties, Vardy made his presence felt by scoring seven goals during his spell with the Three Lions. At 32, many people still consider the Leicester City frontman as a player in his prime days. However, Vardy is keen to concentrate on his club duties, where he keeps on making new legacies. There’s no doubt that he’s already achieved the legend status at King Power Stadium.
Why should England need him in the team?
Vardy is currently challenging the Premier League as top scorer. Interestingly, he’s above all the strikers that England manager Gareth Southgate had drafted in his team — even the England captain Harry Kane currently trails him.
After making his ways from non-league clubs to Leicester City, Vardy has shown that he’s the true meaning to the inspiration that teams need. He first made the Foxes gain promotion to Premier League before shocking the world when he steered his side to clinch the 2015/16 Premier League glory.
The 32-year-old striker’s fine form has currently placed his club second in the Premier League table, only behind Liverpool, which is the only side still unbeaten this term. Though Vardy had never shown interest in main leadership roles (captain) both at the club and national team level, the striker still remains a leader while on the pitch and in the dressing room.
It’s alleged that the player agreed with the Southgate that he would be open to representing the Three Lions in desperate situations. A game that England lost to the Czech Republic away in the ongoing UEFA Euro2020 qualifiers was almost falling in the desperate bracket. England now need to win all their two remaining fixture to be assured of finishing top in their group.
Was it the right decision for Vardy to retire?
Vardy’s decision to hang his international boots soon after the conclusion of the 2018 World Cup in Russia still continues to attract debates. Critics say that his decision was premature while other people support the move.
Well, many players have in the past retired only to come out of their retirements when their national teams are in dire needs. It appears that Vardy is open to making international appearances, but it’s an issue that he can only discuss with Southgate. Vardy’s club teammate Ben Chilwell revealed early in the week that the striker wasn’t ready to discuss the issue with anyone else apart from the England boss.
Here are the factors that may have made Vardy to announce his retirement;
- It’s usual that most players announce their retirements after celebrating their third decades in the world. Lionel Messi announced his international retirement three years ago even before he clocked 30. However, he would later come out of his retirement and captained Argentina.
- After attaining 30, players are prone to injuries that threaten their playing careers. By opting out of international assignments lowers the chances of suffering such injuries.
- To give room for young blood. It isn’t a secret anymore that Southgate prefers using young players. Vardy made his reading right and created space for young players like Tammy Abraham, who’s also enjoying an excellent season at Chelsea.
- The completion with Harry Kane was already futile after the Tottenham Hotspurs striker was handed the national team’s armband.
- The need to put his focus on his club, where he has now spent seven years.
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