Gary Lineker believes Jamie Vardy could ‘offer something different’ for England at this summer’s European Championship – but Gareth Southgate faces a tough call over whether to try and tempt the Leicester City striker back.
The 34-year-old scored his 12th Premier League goal of the season in the 3-1 victory over Liverpool on Saturday to put him just one behind fellow internationals Harry Kane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the top-flight’s leading scorer standings.
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Vardy stepped down from England duty in 2018 after 26 caps and seven goals to spend more time with his family, with the Foxes ace having been mainly restricted to a back-up role to Kane when called up.
However, despite being in the tail-end of his career, Vardy’s appetite for goals is showing no signs of subsiding and talkSPORT host Jamie O’Hara said Southgate should be begging the evergreen striker to return for the Three Lions.
He told talkSPORT: “All the decision that we talk about with Gareth Southgate with the players that he’s got to fit into his side and get on the plane, he needs to be on the phone to Vardy and say: “Listen, I know I didn’t use you properly and I know you had enough of sitting on the bench and getting five minutes here and there.”
“I know he doesn’t want to play second-fiddle to Harry Kane but wouldn’t it be amazing for him to win his last big tournament at the European championships and have to his name.
“With him in the side to come in in certain games, he’s absolutely massive for England. Southgate should be on the phone BEGGING him to play.”
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Lineker is unsure whether Vardy will return for the Euros, with captain Kane and Calvert-Lewin nailed-on to be included and Danny Ings also well in contention for a spot in the squad.
But he admits his energy and runs in behind offer a different quality to the other strikers Southgate has at his disposal.
Asked about Vardy’s potential return for England, Lineker told talkSPORT.com, Lineker said: “I think it’s been mooted hasn’t it? It depends though as summer is still a few months away.
Jamie Vardy in the Premier League
Vardy's stats in his seven seasons in the top-flight
2020/21
Matches: 20
Goals: 12
Assists: 5
2019/20
Matches 35
Goals: 23
Assists: 5
2018/19
Matches 34
Goals: 18
Assists: 4
2017/18
Matches 37
Goals: 20
Assists: 1
2016/17
Matches: 35
Goals: 13
Assists: 5
2015/16
Matches: 36
Goals: 24
Assists: 6
2014/15
Matches: 34
Goals: 5
Assists: 8
“If Harry is fit and flying, we’ve got Calvert-Lewin too and Ings is around.
“Jamie Vardy gives you something different to everyone because of his ability to get behind defences.
“Again it’s about numbers. This is the first time in a couple of decades where we are going to have to leave that great player out and it’s going to be really tough for Southgate.
“You’re only allowed 23 and three players from each position and three goalkeepers.
“The midfield and ahead of that the full-back positions we have plethora of really talented players which is great and it’s the best way for it to be.”
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