Leicester City’s goal drought in four straight Premier League games has sparked debate—does their star striker need replacing, or just better support?
A reliable goalscorer can often be the key to survival, which is why Wolves’ Matheus Cunha’s suspension could significantly impact the relegation battle. The Brazilian, who has already netted 13 Premier League goals this season, played a crucial role in all six of Wolves’ victories. In contrast, Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has scored seven league goals—a respectable tally, but one that hasn’t grown much in recent months. He has managed just one goal in his last 916 minutes of play, raising questions not only about his place in the starting lineup but also about his long-term future.
Why Has Vardy’s Goal Output Declined?
Initially, Vardy’s goal drought was due to missed chances. Under Steve Cooper, he was highly efficient, scoring four times from just 12 shots across 11 matches. However, since Ruud van Nistelrooy took over, his shot count has surged—28 attempts in nine games—but he has only found the net three times. Notably, two of those goals came in the Dutchman’s first two games in charge.
More concerning is the sharp decline in opportunities. In Leicester’s last four league games, where they failed to score, Vardy had just three shots—all in one match against Brentford. He registered at least one attempt in his first nine games under van Nistelrooy but then went completely silent against Everton, Arsenal, and West Ham.
Is this lack of chances down to Vardy himself—failing to make the right runs and find space—or is the creative support behind him drying up? It’s a debate that could go either way. While Leicester continue to advance the ball into attacking areas, recent tactical shifts have seen Jordan Ayew and Bobby De Cordova-Reid deployed out wide, sacrificing some creativity for greater ball control.
Another possible factor is fatigue. At 38, Vardy has already played more minutes this season than he did in the entire previous campaign. If he plays just two more matches, he will have surpassed his game time from both the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Even for an elite professional, that workload could be taking its toll.
That said, his recent performance against Brentford suggested otherwise—he was twice denied by excellent Mark Flekken saves, including one chance he created himself.
Would Dropping Vardy Benefit Leicester?
If Leicester consider benching Vardy, the main question is who would replace him. Patson Daka is the natural alternative. The Zambian forward offers relentless pressing, something Vardy doesn’t lack but perhaps can’t sustain as consistently.
Daka is also more involved in general play, averaging 31 touches per game compared to Vardy’s 19. This increased involvement could improve Leicester’s link-up play in the final third. However, doubts remain over whether Daka can handle the pressure of must-win games. Last season, when Enzo Maresca rotated his strikers, Vardy was still trusted for the crucial matches.
What Do Pundits Say?
Many analysts agree that Leicester have a problem—but not necessarily with Vardy himself. Former Leicester and Arsenal defender Martin Keown believes the real issue is the club’s over-reliance on him.
“When you’re depending on a 38-year-old striker, it’s a testament to Vardy’s ability but also a sign of Leicester’s failure to plan ahead,” Keown said on talkSPORT. “They should have developed a new main striker by now.”
Former Leicester captain Wes Morgan shares a similar view. He pointed out that Vardy isn’t facing much competition within the squad, which means he’s often left on the pitch for the full 90 minutes.
“Who is challenging him for a starting spot? Who is pushing him to perform better?” Morgan said on *Sky Sports*. “You’d expect someone to come on at 60 minutes, put in a strong display, and give him a real fight for his position.”
What Has van Nistelrooy Said?
Van Nistelrooy has not recently commented on Vardy’s form, but his earlier remarks suggest he sees the issue as a lack of service rather than a decline in Vardy’s ability.
Discussing Vardy’s six-game drought before he scored against Tottenham, van Nistelrooy said: “I’m happy he’s getting into scoring positions—that’s a crucial stat. Now, it’s about converting them. Jamie’s best quality is his mentality. He doesn’t dwell on missed chances. If we keep creating opportunities for him, the goals will come.”
What About Vardy’s Future?
If questions are being asked about Vardy’s place in the team, it’s only natural to wonder whether he deserves a new contract. His current deal expires in June, and there’s no indication that he plans to retire. Leicester will have to decide whether to extend his stay or invest in a new striker.
Their league status will influence the decision, but beyond that, the club must weigh whether it makes sense to keep paying high wages to a striker who will turn 39 next season. At the same time, replacing him with a striker of similar caliber could be costly.
Despite his age, there’s no clear sign of steep decline. His seven goals this season are already more than double what he managed in Leicester’s relegation campaign two years ago.
Van Nistelrooy, who sees him in training daily, has no doubt that Vardy can continue at a high level.
“In the Premier League, a 38-year-old striker performing like he is—both in fitness and intelligence—is remarkable,” he said in January. “With the way he looks after himself, I believe he can keep going for a long time.”
Leave a Reply