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Bang For Buck - Is Jamie Vardy The Greatest Striker Transfer in Football History?

Since 2015, Premier League teams have spent over £6.6 billion in gross transfer fees and it's fair to say that not every one of those transfers has turned out great. Nicolas Pepe was sold to Arsenal in 2019 for a club-record £72 million and has only scored on 9 occasions in 47 appearances. Danny Drinkwater signed for Chelsea in 2017 for £34.1 million after being a regular starter for Leicester Cities Premier League winning side the year prior. In his very short time at Chelsea, the Englishman made 12 appearances over 2 years and contributed a single goal. Thankfully, not all Premier League transfers have made such disastrous headlines and at the very top of those successful few is Leicester front-man Jamie Vardy. 

Originally bought from non-league side Fleetwood Town for £1 million, Vardy made his Premier League debut with Leicester after contributing to their promotion in 2014. What followed could only be described as a footballing miracle. 

As well as being one of the main driving forces behind Leicesters 5000-to-1 capture of the Premier League title in 2016, Vardy has scored 115 goals in 231 appearances for the Foxes; a conversion rate of over 50%. This performance has propelled Vardy to numerous Premier League awards including the 2019/2020 Golden Boot, Player of the Season for 2015/2016, and a place on the England squad for the 2016 Euro's and 2018 World Cup. 

It's a great rag to riches story and one that has made Jamie Vardy a player that is beloved by Leicester and England fans alike. But in terms of 'Bang for Buck,' I don't think there is a player in professional football that provides the same results for such a low price tag. The only men that come close in terms of delivery from the striker position are Robin Van Persie and Eric Cantona, both of which were bought by big-name clubs in Arsenal and Manchester United before the time of inflated player prices and supposedly superior talent of today's Premier League.  

In today's billionaire filled transfer market, there are not many gems that go unnoticed and clubs will usually dish out for so-called young stars like Timo Werner and Kai Havertz. But in the case of Jamie Vardy and Leicester, not only did he produce an immediate impact for Leicester but laid the foundations for the Foxes who have blossomed into a true 'Big Six' side, overtaking the likes of Arsenal and Everton and challenging for the title once again in 2021. 



 


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  1. Godderzz99February 15, 2021 at 4:25 PM

    Although he was sold for £130m mbappe went to Monaco on a free transfer and within two seasons won them a league title, I do however agree Vardy is the best in English football

    ReplyDelete
  2. Stevo 57February 18, 2021 at 7:58 AM

    Straight out of the bargain basement !!

    ReplyDelete

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