West Ham have been strongly linked with Jamie Vardy in the past 24 hours. The Leicester City striker is currently second top scorer, and fired his side to their first Premier League title. But would he fit into our side?
Vardy thrives in Leicester’s system, which is so different to ours
The problem that many would be quick to point out about this transfer, is that West Ham would be spending £25 million on a player that pretty much has a system dedicated to him at Leicester. The defence and midfield soak up pressure, and counter attack with Vardy at the fore front. A lot of the time a long diagonal ball down the channels is enough to bring Jamie Vardy into the game and he will work hard to create chances and chase lost causes.
But this isn’t anything like how we have played at West Ham this season.
West Ham fans have called for good football, and Bilic has answered. We rarely sit back and counter attack teams, we try to dominate the game and create chances by passing the ball. It doesn’t actually matter who we play up front, the system functions the same regardless. This is why our strikers haven’t been banging them in all season, we don’t play a system dedicated to any one striker, the striker has to fit into our system.
Carroll is obviously a nightmare in the air, but he isn’t getting too much service in open play in the areas he would like. Not like when he was at Newcastle, and the ball was constantly hit long to him. Carroll has become more involved in our build up play, and is helping the team more.
This means we won’t be hitting the ball long on the counter for Vardy to chase. It also means we won’t be content to sit back and defend and wait for our chance on the break, because it’s not the way that Slaven Bilic sets up his teams. Especially with Payet, Lanzini and Antonio behind the striker, we are more likely to build a team around those three than change it to suit one £25 million player.
Is he what we want for £25 million?
This sounds like a stupid question. 24 Premier League goals, and a League winners medal. But we would be doubling his current wages, and forking out what would be half of our summer transfer budget for a player that has flattered to deceive in previous seasons.
Compared to players like Batshuayi and Lacazette, would West Ham fans be equally content with Jamie Vardy?
While Vardy has had an outrageously good season, I don’t think he would be first or second choice for many Hammers, plus he is 29 so age isn’t on his side.
Would he want to come to West Ham?
Obviously we’ve had a great season, and are moving to The Olympic Stadium. But Vardy and Leicester are currently on top of the world.
He is at a team in the Champions League next year, who are catering to the needs of their star striker. The fans adore him, he’s just signed a new contract and should be starting for England next month. There doesn’t really appear to be any reason for him to leave the Champions.
Money talks, but this seems like an odd bid to me. West Ham would have more luck elsewhere, and it would be a real shock if a potential deal did go through.
Both for West Ham and Vardy, this move doesn’t make a lot of sense.
