I knew Vardy would come good again, says Leicester City boss Ranieri
Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri said he was always confident striker Jamie Vardy would rediscover his deadly form in front of goal.
England frontman Vardy scored his first Foxes hat-trick as Leicester blew Manchester City away 4-2 at the King Power Stadium on Saturday.
Vardy netted 24 times in Leicester’s incredible title-winning season last year, but had found the net just three times in the Premier League this season before filling his boots against Pep Guardiola’s inconsistent Citizens.
The win lifted Leicester to 14th in the division, and Ranieri said he was always confident his side, and Vardy in particular, would find their form again after a stuttering league campaign so far.
“He never showed me he was under pressure, never,” said Ranieri.
“Maybe at home he spoke to his wife, I don’t know. But with us, never.
Photo by Christopher Lee/Getty Images
“Always I say, ‘Jamie, don’t worry if you don’t score’ because sooner or later you will go back and start to score’.
“I said ‘don’t worry’ and always he was calm. I tell him always that scoring goals is in your blood.
“For me, what is more important is that everyone is working hard for the team.”
Ranieri also waxed lyrical about Riyad Mahrez, with the Algerian putting in the type of display that saw him crowned PFA Player of the Year last season.
“Unbelievable,” said Ranieri. “Left and right foot, only he can do this. Another player stops the ball and loses the momentum. He can play one touch, when he wants he can play.
“It is not incredible, it is a skill.”
