Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted that Jamie Vardy's continued good form is likely down to his decision to retire from England duty.
The Foxes' talisman has been crucial to his side's eye-catching start to the season, with Leicester sitting second in the Premier League after winning five of their opening seven league games, also topping their Europa League group with a 100% record so far.
Vardy took a step back from international duties after the 2018 World Cup, but has shown no signs of slowing down in the Premier League. He bagged the 2019/20 Golden Boot, and has already found the back of the net eight times in all competitions this season.
He was on the scoresheet during Leicester's 4-1 thumping of Leeds United on Monday, and Rodgers has admitted that his blistering form may have something to do with no longer joining up with Gareth Southgate's Three Lions.
"It is an important point," Rodgers said, quoted by MailOnline Sport. "You have to manage that freshness. He brings such a huge dimension to our team.
Put some respect on Jamie Vardy's name. pic.twitter.com/9NcIKQKGeS
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"‘He knows the stage of his career he is at. He manages his time to rest and recover, as a top professional would."
Rodgers recently claimed that Vardy doesn't get the credit he deserves for his performances, pointing out the Englishman's desire and hunger to keep churning out quality performances even though he's heading into the twilight of his career.
Vardy has been instrumental in Leicester's away day success in the Premier League so far this season, netting a hat-trick in the 5-2 demolition of Manchester City, the only goal of the game at Arsenal and the recent strike at Marcelo Bielsa's impressive Leeds.
With quality service from the likes of Youri Tielemans, James Maddison and Harvey Barnes, it's easy to see why the 33-year-old is being presented with opportunities to strike at goal. But as Rodgers can attest to, you need to have a bit of quality about you to finish the chances - something Vardy clearly still has in abundance.
Source : 90min