Chelsea is scheduled to perform a `guard of honour` for Liverpool before their Premier League match at Stamford Bridge tomorrow. It is widely anticipated that Arsenal will do the same the following weekend.
However, like many contemporary practices in football, this is something the author finds entirely baffling. He frankly considers it utter nonsense.
Rather than being a sign of respect, it feels like a form of humiliation for the team forming the line to applaud the champions.
It gives the impression that teams like Chelsea and Arsenal, and all others facing the newly crowned champions for the rest of the season, are effectively saying, “Congratulations, we`re perfectly fine with you defeating us.”
Recalling his time, the author mentions that when his Watford team lost an FA Cup final to Manchester City, they had to stand and applaud as City received their medals. He feels this was acceptable as it happened after the match had concluded.
He was never in a situation during his top-flight career with Watford where he was expected to be part of a `guard of honour`, as they never played against a team that had already secured the championship.
However, he asserts that if he had been in such a situation, he would have flatly refused.
He argues that Arsenal, who have been Liverpool`s closest rivals this season, should take this stance next Sunday.
Such a refusal, he believes, would serve as a clear statement for the upcoming season, signaling a change in approach – “No more Mr Nice Guys.”
The author notes several significant commonalities with Jamie Vardy.
Both players rose through the ranks from non-league football, progressed through the Football League, and eventually reached the top flight.
Both also wore ankle tags while playing due to criminal convictions from their youth.
Furthermore, both became long-serving, key players for their respective clubs – Vardy at Leicester and the author at Watford.
While proud of his own achievements in the game, the author holds Vardy in even higher regard, describing him as exceptional and a “Roy of the Rovers” figure, football`s greatest underdog story.
Vardy`s career highlights include winning the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Golden Boot, playing for England, and unlike the author, having the ability to leave his long-standing club (13 years of impressive service) on his own terms.
Despite being 38 years old (18 months older than the author and considerably lighter!), the author believes Vardy can still make a significant contribution to a Premier League team next season following his announcement to leave Leicester.
Wolves are reportedly interested, which the author sees as plausible, but he personally feels Everton would be an excellent fit.
He anticipates David Moyes will bring in numerous players for Everton this summer as they embark on a new era in their new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.
The author is confident Moyes would welcome having Vardy as an option, highlighting his pace which makes him a constant threat coming off the bench against fatigued defenses, and suggesting he could still start certain matches.
Vardy is characterized as unconventional and a maverick, even in his unique approach to fitness and diet, famously including vodka, Skittles, and snus.
The author`s greatest admiration for Vardy is his unwavering authenticity, both as a player and a person.
While some players might alter their style after winning major honours, Vardy has consistently stuck to what he does best.
He doesn`t drop deep to try and control the game; his focus remains on darting behind defenders and scoring goals. Even in the current season, he has managed eight goals for a Leicester side that has struggled significantly in attack.
Scoring consistently for a struggling team that creates few chances is a truly demanding task, one that Vardy has successfully navigated.
The author understands the appeal of a move to Wrexham, seeing it as a pairing of the “Hollywood club” with the “Hollywood footballer.”
Considering Ryan Reynolds and others have brought in many experienced players during Wrexham`s ascent from the National League to the Championship, Vardy would certainly fit their profile.
However, the author believes Vardy would be a valuable asset for many Premier League clubs and has the potential to surpass Teddy Sheringham`s record as the oldest outfield player in the competition.
Teddy Sheringham played in the top flight for West Ham shortly before turning 41.
The author comments on Leicester facing Southampton, characterizing them as two of the weakest teams the English top flight has ever seen.
It`s a pity what has transpired with Leicester in recent years, especially given that their title triumph in 2016 is arguably the most incredible story in English football history.
That season was Watford`s first back in the top flight after their promotion, and at the start of the campaign, they viewed Leicester as potential relegation rivals.
But, like everyone else, they were completely mistaken.
That Leicester team was remarkable. The attacking prowess of Vardy and Riyad Mahrez, combined with the midfield partnership of N’Golo Kante and Danny Drinkwater, was one of the best the author ever played against.
During that historic season, Vardy broke Ruud van Nistelrooy’s Premier League record by scoring in 11 consecutive matches.
The author stresses how difficult it is to score in back-to-back Premier League games, making the achievement of scoring in 11 straight games absolutely mind-boggling.
Shinji Okazaki, Vardy`s strike partner, is often overlooked but had an incredible work rate, described by the author as coming off the pitch literally steaming like a racehorse!
Claudio Ranieri’s Leicester employed a 4-4-2 formation with a back four consisting of traditional, no-nonsense defenders focused purely on keeping the ball out, which the author mentions with genuine respect.
The author knew the captain, Wes Morgan, quite well. After Leicester defeated Watford that season, Morgan told him they were “seriously good, a really special group of players.”
Morgan also shared that the team genuinely got along exceptionally well and frequently socialized together. The author notes how truly unusual this is, particularly at a Premier League club or indeed any workplace.
And when Leicester`s championship victory was confirmed after Tottenham failed to beat Chelsea in a fiercely contested match on a Monday night, it was Vardy, predictably, who hosted the players’ house party to celebrate.
The final two home games of what has been a challenging season for Leicester will now serve as celebrations of Vardy’s career as the club bids farewell to a legend.
This tribute is thoroughly deserved, as Vardy`s journey and success should be a source of inspiration for **everyone** playing in non-league and lower divisions.
Jamie Vardy is indeed the miracle man.
