The GOAT or the Seniorman - who’s Leicester City’s best striker right now?
Patson Daka, cries a voice from the back. We’re using the remnants of the international break to ask a trivial question - the rotation seems to be working, but who is Leicester City’s best striker?
Vardy
Iain Wright
The answer to the question is very simple. It's, undoubtedly in my mind, Jamie Vardy. Throughout Kelechi Iheanacho's time with us, bar one (glorious) spell in Spring 2021, the GOAT has always been the number one.
For the most part, that's to be expected as the GOAT is indeed the GOAT. But the fact he's still first choice, at nearly 37 years of age, in a team and system that actually favours Iheanacho is a remarkable testimony of Vardy's incredible talent. It’s also a very damning indictment of Iheanacho's lack of progress and development.
I really don't want to get after Kelechi as he's been an excellent servant to the club, has always given his all and it seems like he creates a good vibe around the squad. I'm also sure he will score a fair few this season in rotation with Vardy. However, looking forward, if we do get promoted back to the Premier League, I think it's more likely that we offer Vardy a contract for another year than we offer Iheanacho another four years.
Iheanacho
Matt Jedruch
Both Vardy and Iheanacho have adjusted well to a new system where they are being asked to drop deeper and link play, while also being present in the box when chances present themselves. This more ‘complete forward’ task is less well suited to Vardy’s traditional skillset, but I have been really impressed with how he has adapted to this style, and both have improved as the season has progressed.
In terms of traditional numbers, their respective minutes played, goals scored, and assists are almost identical. Digging a bit deeper, there are two stats that really stands out to me.
The first is Shot Creating Actions Per 90. In a system where our wingers and attacking midfielders are going to be relied upon (more than usual) for their attacking output, it’s vital to have a striker who is going to create as many chances as possible for themselves and the players around them, whether via dribbles, rebounded shots, or direct passes. Iheanacho has more than double the Shot Creating Actions per 90 mins than Vardy this season (4.89 v 2.11).
The second is general passing and pass completion. Iheanacho has also attempted double the number of passes (200 v 99), successfully completing 88.5% v 73.7%. In a system where keeping and respecting the ball is paramount, Iheanacho stands out here. It’s important to caveat that these numbers come from small sample sizes of less than 6 full 90 minute periods, but these patterns are broadly the same over their respective careers and you’d expect them to stay around these levels based on their individual qualities.
Although Iheanacho can be the most frustrating and puzzling player to watch at times, I have always stood by the fact that when he plays, he makes things happen. For Vardy, he’s more likely to have games where he struggles to make an impact. This isn’t a criticism of Vardy at all, and I would have no complaints if he becomes the clear first choice in this team. Thankfully, I am sure that both players will prosper this season, but for me Iheanacho is the better fit and is our best striker at the moment.
Iheanacho
Becky Taylor
This feels like the impossible question for me.
With it getting to jumper season it made me think. It's like having 3 jumpers in your wardrobe, all great for their own reasons but someone is telling you to choose one to wear for the rest of winter.
First is your ultimate go-to jumper, you've had it so long you can't imagine life without it, but you're starting to accept it's probably the last winter you'll get out of it as it's looking a little tired round the edges. Some of your favourite memories have come when wearing that jumper, choosing anything else feels like a betrayal.
Second is one that divides opinion a bit more, you love it unconditionally but some others can't see its appeal. This jumper has brought you many years of joy, it has been there through thick and thin. It's a bit flamboyant and although people question it when you get it out, you put it on and it usually delivers, often being the talking point of the day. Not choosing this would feel like you've turned your back on the very thing you've been telling everyone to love.
Third is the brand spanker, you're so excited to wear it, you've splashed out on it but it was damaged upon delivery so you've had to wait for it to be ready. People tell you you don't need any more clothes, but you are full of excitement to hit them with this one and finish your comfort and look. The newbie is always fresh in the mind for picking the best.
Shout out to the fourth jumper that you always liked, but everyone including your boss, told you just doesn't go with anything so you had to accept it's got to go to the charity shop.
Simply, I just want to nicely rotate my jumpers depending on my mood - but I've been told I'm not allowed.
Although I genuinely considered answering Cannon as to not choose between Kel and Vardy, I'm going for Iheanacho… just.
Kel often brings chaos, and that's why I lean towards him for best striker for us right now. Against teams that will sit in a low block (my least favourite bit of football terminology), something out of the ordinary can often be the catalyst to breaking the deadlock.
The stats for the season are close between Kel and Vards so both are confident. As I've alluded to before, Kel looks like he doesn't know what he'll do next, so how on earth are defenders meant to know?
He's more natural at coming to get the ball to feet than Vardy, a key part of our system, and when he pulls off the turn of the centre-back in the centre circle like he did against Norwich and Stoke, it's a thing of beauty.
It pretty much allows him to play as a second striker, without having said second striker, thanks to the willing runners from wide and midfield.
For me, he gets lots of unnecessary stick from our fans; when Vardy makes the same mistakes as Iheanacho everyone looks the other way.
I want Vardy to play every week, not only because I predicted him as our top goalscorer for the season, but also as I love nothing more than seeing him score and give it to the opposition fans. However, for us and the system, I'm choosing Iheanacho.
Viva Keldog madness.
