New Leicester City boss Ruud van Nistelrooy wants Jamie Vardy to make it 12 games in a row to score after the Foxes striker netted after two minutes of his first game in charge.
Van Nistelrooy’s side will look to build on their 3-1 win at home to West Ham on Tuesday when Brighton & Hove Albion host them in the Dutchman’s second game at the club on Sunday (14:00 GMT). .
More than 12 years after joining the club, Vardy began Van Nistelrooy’s reign in style with his fifth goal of the season, through Bilal El Khannouss and clinically struck to show he has lost none of his trademark his clarity with his 38th birthday approaching. .
Out for training 💨 pic.twitter.com/CvvefEWUNn
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 6, 2024
“I was just turning 36 in July 2012 when I played my last game,” Van Nistelrooy said. “It’s a slow process from the beginning to the end of your career – you’re constantly evolving.
“You don’t have to think about it for a day. passes through the years. Jamie adjusts with the game intelligence he has and knows where he needs to be. You saw it with the timing of his run. He’s not going to lose that, he’s never going to lose that.”
In Brighton’s season so far ⏳
“It’s clear how they’re performing, where they are in the league. They got excellent results against top clubs. It’s a fantastic performance from the club, the team and the manager.” pic.twitter.com/QHOtn9vcub
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 6, 2024
Vardy record: Van Nistelrooy wants more
A Premier League Golden Boot winner with Manchester United in 2002/03, Van Nistelrooy also held the record for consecutive Premier League goals until Vardy broke his record during the 2015/16 season when he won the Leicester title.
Much was made of the feat after Leicester’s first win in seven games in all competitions, and Van Nistelrooy was happy to revisit the matter.
“I said he has to break the record again – then I can forgive him,” said the 48-year-old, who took charge of United for four games on an interim basis in November.
At Patson Dhaka 👌
“I think you saw his quality on Tuesday in the way he pressed the ball, the way he pressed with intensity and the goal he scored. I was happy to see his performance, he did very well.” pic.twitter.com/JJh1Z8DIWO
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 6, 2024
Leicester v Brighton: The Foxes home defence
Meanwhile, the stat Van Nistelrooy appears to be most concerned about is the Hammers’ 31-try tally against them at the King Power Stadium.
West Ham also had 10 of the 16 attempts between the two sides and ensured Leicester kept their solitary clean sheet in the league this season thanks to Niclas Fullkrug’s 93rd-minute consolation.
On the opportunities for players 🔵
“The team is the key. I mentioned in today’s team meeting that the Premier League is so intense that we need all the players and everyone involved and ready to help. I like that about this team.” pic.twitter.com/jRRKVIGl3P
— Leicester City (@LCFC) December 6, 2024
“We all saw how the game went,” said the former PSV coach. “The number of tries stood out for West Ham. We need to analyze and be in better shape and keep players out of the box. That was the job this week.”
Leicester are four points above the relegation zone in 16th, while Brighton remain 10 points above them in fifth after their first defeat in four games on Thursday, losing 3-1 to Fulham.
