Matt Piper Underscores Jamie Vardy’s Indispensability to Leicester City

Former Leicester City winger Matt Piper contends that captain Jamie Vardy’s recent display, featuring a goal and an assist in Sunday’s comeback draw against Brighton, illustrates why the Foxes “still need him in the team.” Speaking on the When You’re Smiling podcast, Piper stated, “This is why he is the GOAT. When you get a chance like that late on to grab an equaliser, against a really good Brighton side, and you are that unselfish to roll it to a man that is in a better position, it is huge.” He further detailed the assist, adding, “Especially knowing that Bobby [De Cordova-Reid] was going to score the chance and he [Jamie Vardy] probably had a 70% chance of scoring, because it was a tight angle.” Piper concluded his remarks on the moment by saying, “To be that unselfish and that calm – in that moment – was huge. It was just deserved for Leicester.” Highlighting Vardy’s continued importance, Piper asserted, “This is why you still need him in this team. If he is fit, he is the first name on the team sheet. He has all the experience, he is still quick and he can still finish.” Piper also voiced his hope that Vardy will achieve a notable personal milestone this season: “I’m hoping that he will go on to beat Michael Owen’s record [of 150 Premier League goals] this season.” Reiterating his high praise for the striker, Piper affirmed, “We call him the GOAT for a reason. We say every season that we need a statue for him. The more he keeps having goal contributions like this, he is only going to make it more definite that his statue is erected soon.”