Gareth Southgate says he has told Jamie Vardy the ‘door is open’ if he wants to come out of international retirement.
Vardy told the Three Lions boss back in 2018 that he no longer wanted to be called up for international duty. Since then, the 33-year-old’s form has been exemplary, scoring 23 goals to win the Premier League Golden Boot last season.
Jamie Vardy recently scored a hat-trick against Manchester City / Catherine Ivel/Getty Images
He has started the current campaign in similarly impressive fashion, scoring four goals in his opening four games for the Foxes.
“We’ve spoken at various times over the last 18 months just to keep in touch,” Southgate said. to choose.” Daily Mail).
“He was top scorer in the Premier League last year so my position on him has never changed.”
Verdi shows no signs of slowing down at 33/Pool/Getty Images.
Vardy earned 26 international caps before retiring, scoring 7 goals. He was included in England’s squads for Euro 2016 and the 2018 World Cup and was even due to take the final penalty against Colombia in the Three Lions’ dramatic round of 16 penalty shootout, but was ruled out due to injury. .
Where Vardy will fit into the current England starting XI is unclear. Southgate appear keen to use a 4-3-3 with captain Harry Kane deployed as a withdrawn centre-forward. Vardy plays a very different role, favoring playing on the shoulder of the last defender and using his devastating pace to get behind.
Regardless of Vardy’s decision to come out of international retirement, unlike Leicester team-mate Harvey Barnes, he will not feature in the upcoming fixture. Barnes was one of three inaugural call-ups with Dominic Calvert-Leon and Bokaio Saka also in line to win their first caps.