Enzo Maresca names the former England star who was better than Wayne Rooney and Harry Kane
Today at 07:41 AM
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca heaped praise on Jamie Vardy ahead of his return toLeicester City.
The veteran striker played a key role in the Foxes’ promotion campaign last season under the Italian who moved to Stamford Bridge in the summer.
Vardy might not be having a party at the end of this season but he is still banging in the goals at 37 and Maresca rates the striker even more highly than England’s two top goalscorers – Harry Kane and Wayne Rooney.
‘People don’t realise how good he is,’ added Maresca. ‘I know England have been quite lucky because of Kane and Rooney, this type of striker, they are fantastic.
‘But Jamie is, if you ask me, the best one.’
Maresca also lifted the lid on Leicester’s promotion celebrations and revealed Vardy still knows how to enjoy himself.
Leicester famously toasted their improbable Premier League success in 2016 with an impromptu bash at Vardy’s house.
But the venue for last April’s party was not at the striker’s abode, but at Maresca’s house when the players turned up unannounced at 2am.
Maresca recalled: ‘The best present I had from last season was when we got promoted and they arrived at my home. All the team.
‘This showed the connection between the players; they could go for a party at a different place but they all arrived at my home. It was a fantastic connection and I will always be thankful for them.
‘I was at home celebrating with my staff and my family and about two o’clock in the morning all the squad was there. We celebrated all together.
‘When I was a player and I won things I never thought to go to the manager’s home. That shows the connection.’
Similarly to when they clinched the Premier League crown, Leicester were not actually playing when they found out they were promoted after Leeds lost at QPR.
‘To be honest I was at home watching the game and when it finished all the staff came over – and later the players,’ added the Italian.
‘They didn’t knock on the door, they were in the garden and knocked on the window. What time did they leave? I don’t remember.’
