Jamie Vardy will be leaving Leicester as a Premier League legend – or maybe even the best of the modern era.
That’s according to Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, who told talkSPORT why he puts the Foxes icon ahead of numerous greats he’s faced at the top level.
Ramsdale has hailed Vardy as the ‘biggest nightmare’ he has facedGetty The pair have met a total of eight times across their careersGettyThe pair have been on opposing sides eight times during their careers, with Vardy scoring five times.
However, they may not meet again as Vardy has announced he will depart the King Power Stadium after 13 years at the end of the season.
His exit comes after scoring 198 goals in 496 appearances for the Foxes, making him their third leading scorer of all-time.
Meanwhile, his Premier League tally of 143 is more than any other player in the club’s history.
Vardy has twice won promotion from the Championship as champions as well as winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Community Shield.
He has also been hailed as Ramsdale’s ‘biggest nightmare’ after stating the Southampton goalkeeper was the toughest he had faced.
Ramsdale told Drive: “Wow, well he’s my biggest nightmare,” after hearing Vardy’s thoughts on him.
As for what made the 38-year-old so difficult to face, the England international added: “We played them at Bournemouth, we were winning 4-0 in the 92nd minute.
“He’s closing me down from a pass back. I’m like ‘what are you doing?’ 92nd minute, 4-0 down!”
Ramsdale has faced greats like Mohamed Salah, Erling Haaland and Harry Kane, but never did he prepare so much as when he was about to face Vardy.
Only Marcus Rashford and Salah have scored more against Ramsdale, but also in more matchesGetty The Foxes captain will leave the club at the end of this seasonGettyHe continued: “I remember the first time I played against him we worked on balls over the top for his pace. Ball over the top takes the touch lobs me, horrible. I’m like ‘oh my god’.
“So don’t get me wrong I’ve faced strikers who can probably finish a bit better than him but he has a lot of things which go on where it makes your head scrambled and I’m guessing because he’s a natural goal scorer.
“From a goalie’s perspective you don’t really know what he’s gonna do. He could chip, he could sprint with the ball, he could just do anything. Horrible.
“Go around you, chip you, take it first time. Creates fouls for his team, runs in behind, runs all day long.”
Of Vardy’s five goals against Ramsdale, the most recent came earlier this season.
He was on the scoresheet in a 3-2 win for the Foxes at St. Mary’s back in October.
Reflecting on the match, Ramsdale said: “He scored a penalty against me at the start of the season.
“I’ve always had good battles against him. He’s always someone as well on the football pitch who gives you a little bit.
“You have some good chats with him and it’s not always banter. You can just have a chat with him and see he always has time for people.”
Vardy will not be retiring despite leaving Leicester this summer, though.
talkSPORT understands that he has received offers from MLS after the Foxes passed on extending his contract.
Former Leicester boss and current Charlotte FC coach Dean Smith previously eyed a move for Vardy, who has suitors in Saudi Arabia, last summer.
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