#4 Jamie Vardy
Club: Leicester City
Position: Striker
Top Speed: 34.44 kmph
(Video credit: LCFC)
The striker who helped power Leicester City to a historic league title last season, Jamie Vardy plundered 24 goals and was voted the Premier League’s Player of the Season.
Vardy’s rags to riches story is an inspiring one, with the forward moving up the leagues from conference side Halifax Town to Fleetwood Town to eventually Leicester City in the English Championship and the Premier League. The Englishman’s pace was used to devastating effect by Claudio Ranieri; with the forward playing a vital role in Leicester’s counter-attacking style of play.
Initially wasted out on the wings under predecessor Nigel Pearson, the role Ranieri carved out for him seemed to play to all his strengths, making him one of the most formidable marksmen in the top-flight. His speed, complimented with finding the back of the net on a consistent basis meant that the Foxes were never found wanting in front of goal.
While he seems to have gone off the boil a bit this season, Leicester still use his pace as an out while defending deep against some of the league’s more decorated teams.
