Garth Crooks says that Jamie Vardy’s performance in Leicester City’s 2-0 win over Everton reminded him of Ian Rush.
Crooks named Vardy in his team of the week after the Foxes forward scored in Leicester’s 2-0 win over Everton on Sunday – his sixth goal of the season.
Rush scored 346 goals in his Liverpool career and, while Vardy cannot match the Welshman’s record or longevity, the two do share a similar work ethic.
Liverpool icon Ian Rush celebrates after scoring against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in 1986
“When you have a willing runner in your team like Jamie Vardy, why wouldn’t you utilise it?”, Crooks said about Vardy on BBC Sport.
“Not since the days of former Liverpool player Ian Rush have I seen a centre-forward close down a defender with the sole aim of getting a block on the ball.”
Vardy found himself in the unfamiliar position of being a lone striker in Claude Puel’s first game as Leicester manager.
The England international has previously been part of a front two with Shinji Okazaki – another tireless runner.
That is the combination which fired and grafted the Foxes to the Premier League title in 2016, but Puel put his own stamp on things by moving Riyad Mahrez in behind Vardy for the visit of the Toffees.
Mahrez is less enthusiastic about doing the hard yards, so Vardy may have to work twice as hard following Puel’s tactical reshuffle. This comparison to Rush should put some gas in his engine, though.
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