Chelsea's Enzo Maresca says Jamie Vardy is above Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane in list of England strikers - ‘The best’
Updated 23/11/2024 at 10:20 GMT
Enzo Maresca has given his verdict on Leicester striker Jamie Vardy, and he places the 37-year-old above both Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney in the pantheon of England strikers. Ex-Leicester boss Maresca will come face-to-face with Vardy again when he takes Chelsea to the King Power Stadium in the Premier League on Saturday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
‘No one expected this’ – Maresca backs ‘fantastic’ Jackson
Video credit: TNT Sports
Enzo Maresca says his former charge, current Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy, is better than both Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
The Chelsea head coach worked with Vardy last season as The Foxes secured an immediate return to the Premier League.
Vardy sits 15th on the Premier League’s all-time top scorers’ list, and the Italian highlighted the different facets to his game.
"Vardy is fantastic and people don't realise how good he is," said Maresca in his pre-match press conference.
"I know that England has been quite lucky with strikers, like Kane, Rooney and many others, but if you ask me, he has been the best one.
"He can do many things, like run in behind and finish, but the best thing for me is his open mind.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/11/21/4063951-82416668-2560-1440.jpg)
‘They want to learn a bit more!’ – Maresca praises the hunger of young Chelsea players
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Last year he changed the way he was playing by dropping in, linking the play, and he still wants to learn. But, of course, he still has the one thing that is most difficult to find, which is to score goals.
"He can be out for one week, without training, and play on the Saturday or Sunday, and he's the one who scores."
Maresca will return to the King Power Stadium on Saturday – live on TNT Sports – and fondly reflected on his single season with the East Midlands club.
"I have no idea how they are going to receive me, but I know how I am going to be with them," he added.
"I will be thankful to the club, the players and the fans, because it was a fantastic season. But I cannot control how they are going to receive me."
The celebrations which followed Leicester’s promotion to the Premier League will stick in Maresca’s mind, with the players joining the 44-year-old to commemorate that title at his home.
"When I was a player I was lucky to win things, but I never thought to go to the manager’s house.
"I feel very lucky and it shows the connection between the players and the staff.
- ‘It's worth it’ – Postecoglou dismisses negative reaction to Bentancur ban appeal
- Palmer is the fourth head on Chelsea’s Mount Rushmore of genius goalscorers
- Amorim reveals message from Mourinho ahead of first Man Utd game
"It showed how the team was close - the connection with the players. That they could go for parties to a different place yet they all arrived at my home.
"It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful to them. It was hard to leave for sure because there was a good connection in terms of human beings."
Watch Leicester City v Chelsea and other Premier League games live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Thoughts?