Pundit Dion Dublin has dismissed claims that Jamie Vardy is too old for the Championship, backing the 39-year-old striker to make a massive impact at Burnley.
The Clarets, who surprisingly sit rock-bottom of the Championship table after relegation from the Premier League last season, announced the signing of Vardy on Sunday, filling the striker void left by Zian Flemming, who joined Ipswich Town.
Drawing on his own experience playing in the second tier for Norwich City at age 39, former Premier League star Dublin insists Vardy’s pace, fitness and reputation will give opposing defenders nightmares.
Vardy in good nick
“Do I think Jamie Vardy will struggle with the physicality of the Championship at his age? No, I don’t,” Dublin said in a chat with Reviant.
“I played at 39. It was the season I retired at Norwich City. Delia Smith said to me, ‘Dion, would you do another season to play until you’re 40? Then I’ll let you go.’
“Jamie Vardy has always been in really good nick.
“He doesn’t hold any weight. He’s not some big old unit. He’s very slight and still very quick.
“He might not be as quick as he was three or four years ago, but any team playing against Burnley now will be thinking about Jamie Vardy.”
Defenders to focus on Vardy threat
Dublin, who now enjoys an esteemed career in television, also pointed out that Vardy’s sheer presence will open doors for and create space for his team-mates, with opposition defenders focusing on the former England and Leicester City star.
“The attention of their two central defenders will be fixed on Jamie Vardy,” Dublin added.
“That leaves space for everybody else because not only is Jamie Vardy a problem as a striker, it’s his persona, image, and goalscoring record that cause problems for his opponents.
“Every team, before they go out and face Burnley now, will be getting reminded by their managers: ‘Listen, don’t forget about Jamie Vardy! He does this and he does that.’
“Then someone else will pop up and score a goal from the gaps all that attention will be creating. I think Jamie Vardy to Burnley is a very, very good thing.”
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