The England international seems to have impressed the 31-year-old defender.
Atletico Madrid’s Diego Godin celebrates scoring their first goal with teammates
Atletico Madrid centre back Diego Godin has praised Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy ahead of their Champions League quarter final second leg, and claimed he could play for Atletico, as reports the Daily Mail.
The 31-year-old Uruguay international helped keep Vardy – and the rest of Leicester’s front line – anonymous in Atletico’s 1-0 win in the first leg of the tie, and not many would bet against Diego Simeone’s side repeating that feat in England.
Leicester failed to register a shot on target in the Vicente Calderon Stadium such was the level of defence they were facing, while the Foxes were also fortunate to not be heading into the second leg 2-0 down after Koke struck the post in the first half.
However, Godin – seen as one of the best defenders in Europe – was clearly impressed by his opponents in that first leg, and spoke highly about Vardy, who the 31-year-old believes makes Leicester who they are as well as praising his work rate.
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy
“He is a great player,” Godin said, as reported by the Daily Mail. “He fights and competes in every game and never gives a single ball up for lost. A striker like that is fundamental for a team that plays the way Leicester do. They wouldn’t be the Leicester we know without him.
“Of course he would (fit in at Atletico). I think he would fit in at the vast majority of teams in the world. Who wouldn’t want a striker who kills himself for the team and then gives you so many attacking solutions?
“We were very focused on not giving him space and cutting off the attacking avenues to him. We know how good he is and how capable he is of creating chances on his own.”
Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy during training
While the deficit is just the one goal, Leicester will have their work cut out if they are to complete a dramatic turnaround against an Atletico side who have the best defensive record in La Liga, despite sitting in third place at present.
However, as the Foxes showed against Sevilla, the club have it in them to pull off an upset when required to, which makes for a hugely compelling second leg at the King Power Stadium.
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