Fansided

10 players with the most to prove

By James Dudko

PASADENA, CA - JULY 25: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United takes a penalty during a penalty shoot-out during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Rose Bowl on July 25, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
PASADENA, CA - JULY 25: Alexis Sanchez of Manchester United takes a penalty during a penalty shoot-out during the pre-season friendly match between Manchester United and AC Milan at Rose Bowl on July 25, 2018 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrtes after scoring his side third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 13: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City celebrtes after scoring his side third goal during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City at Wembley Stadium on May 13, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images) /

8. Jamie Vardy, Leicester

Goals weren’t a problem for Vardy last season. The 31-year-old netted 22 in all competitions, 20 in the league.

Those goals came with Mahrez pulling the strings in the final third. Supplying Vardy became a happy habit for the versatile winger:

The duo also accounted for the bulk of the Foxes’ goals during the club’s recent golden period:

Numbers like these are the strongest proof Leicester are going to feel Mahrez’s absence. Vardy is likely to feel it the most, although the striker still has the qualities he needs to feature prominently on the league’s scoring charts.

Those qualities include excellent timing and perceptive off-the-ball runs. He may have past 30, but Vardy can also still count on the pace to take him beyond most markers.

Having been the ultimate foil for the wizardry of Mahrez, Vardy must now prove he can manufacture goals by himself.