Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has given his opinion on the England national team, claiming Gunners’ target Jamie Vardy will not start for the Three Lions.
The Gunners have been uncharacteristically proactive in their transfer activity this year. Having already secured the signature of Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Elneny in January and Borussia Monchengladbach captain Granit Xhaka a few weeks ago, Arsenal have now reportedly triggered the £22 million release clause of Leicester City ace Jamie Vardy.
While Vardy is contemplating whether or not he should join the London giants, Arsene Wenger has given his honest opinion about the 29-year-old’s chances of starting for England at Euro 2016, which kicks off this Friday.
“I don’t think that Vardy will be a starter,” Wenger said on beIN Sports, according to The Independent. “He has earned his place in the squad.
“I don’t say this because he does not have the quality, but because he doesn’t have enough experience at that level to say the whole tournament will depend on Vardy. Will he be there? Certainly.”
Will Jamie Vardy choose to leave Leicester fairytale behind?
Jamie Vardy was the face of Leicester City’s remarkable Premier League triumph in 2015-16. The English forward scored 24 goals and registered 6 assists in 36 appearances as the Foxes marched to one of the most shocking and unexpected sporting triumphs in history.
Before joining Leicester City in 2012, Vardy was playing non-league football alongside a mix of professionals and semi-professionals in the National League with Fleetwood Town. After signing with the Foxes for a non-league record of £1 million, Vardy went from strength to strength and this past season has established him as one of the biggest heroes in Leicester history.
The history, reputation and opulence of Arsenal beckons however, and it will be difficult for Vardy to turn down what may be his last chance to move to one of the established clubs in the land. However, it would also be difficult for him to turn his back on the club and fans that made him the star he is today.
