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Jamie Vardy rejected Arsenal due to “style and position in team”

By Jonathan Northall

SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Jamie Vardy of England reacts during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
SAINT-ETIENNE, FRANCE - JUNE 20: Jamie Vardy of England reacts during the UEFA EURO 2016 Group B match between Slovakia and England at Stade Geoffroy-Guichard on June 20, 2016 in Saint-Etienne, France. (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images) /
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Jamie Vardy rejected a move to Arsenal due to their playing style and no guarantee of being played as a striker, reports are indicating.

Reports are emerging around the reasoning behind Jamie Vardy’s decision to reject a move to Arsenal and his agreement to a new four year contract extension with Leicester City.  Sky Sports News are reporting that Vardy was not convinced that he would be suited to Arsenal’s possession football style.

The 29-year-old prefers Leicester City’s counter-attacking game and scored 24 goals in the Premier League, last season, for the champions.  It is also believed that Arsene Wenger would not give any guarantees on playing Vardy as a striker.  Having used Olivier Giroud as his striker last season, it is thought that Wenger was intent to keep this as his preferred option.

Arsenal’s offer to Leicester, for Vardy, triggered the release clause in the contract and the player’s wage were increased.  The deal was worth about £120,000 per week to Vardy and it’s alleged that he had verbally agreed this.

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The stumbling blocks appear to be around how Vardy would fit into the Arsenal team. Critics of the move did highlight this as a problem with the move and it appears this criticism was with merit.

Having finished as the second highest goalscorer in the Premier League last season, its emerging that Arsene Wenger was not prepared to make any guarantees.  Having scored 16 goals in 26 appearances in 2015/16, Giroud would have been above Vardy in the pecking order for the striker role.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 15: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring to make it 2-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 15: Olivier Giroud of Arsenal celebrates scoring to make it 2-0 during the Barclays Premier League match between Arsenal and Aston Villa at the Emirates Stadium on May 15, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) /

What has not been established is where Vardy would have played.  Either Wenger planned to play Vardy in a ‘false 9’ position or out wide.  Although Wenger does like to use the false 9 option, playing Robin van Persie there in the past, it would have been inappropriate for an out and out striker such as the Leicester ace.  If the plan was to utilise Vardy out wide, with his pace, it again seems a little pointless when there are skillful wingers available in the transfer market.

It appears that it is a tactical decision by the English FA, in conjunction with Leicester City and Vardy, to decide to announce the new Leicester deal despite the contract being unsigned.  After last Monday’s game against Slovakia, the England striker sat down with his agent and the decision was made.

England manager Roy Hodgson has been fully aware of Vardy’s decision. Without a formal announcement, the press have been constantly badgering Vardy during press conferences and it is thought that this was detracting from his England duty.

"“He has decided to stay at Leicester and good luck to him. He came late to the game and in fairness Leicester bought him from Fleetwood and he has been successful. He is 29 and he has chosen to stay at Leicester. You have to respect that.” – Arsene Wenger"

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Despite losing out on his target, Arsene Wenger has graciously accepted the fact.  It appears that Wenger, however, hasn’t finished with Leicester City quite yet.  His interest has now turned to their central midfielder N’Golo Kante who is at Euro 2016 with France. Wenger is still looking for a striker and is rumoured to want Sporting Lisbon striker Islam Slimani who, ironically, was a target for Leicester City.

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