Jamie Vardy is continuing to age like a fine wine

It's hard to believe that we're in March now and Leicester City have only just recorded their first Premier League win of 2022. The Foxes, who have flattered to deceive this season having been in contention for Champions League football but falling short the last two years, find themselves meandering around mid-table now â€” arriving at a real crossroads for Brendan Rodgers. On one hand, it might be time for a fresh face in the dugout at the King Power Stadium, but on the other, will they really build as good a side again as the one they have now?

With talks of unrest in the East Midlands, it must have been reassuring for Leicester to have finally secured a win against Burnley, and with Jamie Vardy back in the side, and on the scoresheet, the Foxes look to have a potent finisher back amongst their ranks after a difficult run of form. Vardy is undeniably a Premier League legend, having been part of the squad that won the title in 2015-16 shocking all the odds on the Premier League winner that year. Many believed it was a flash in the pan, and amid rumours linking the Yorkshireman to Arsenal, the Vardy hype would surely die down.

Flash forward six years and Vardy has joined the exclusive Premier League hundred club, won the FA Cup and scored a plethora of great goals along the way. After turning 35 in January, Vardy is still amongst the best strikers in the league, and with his pace showing no sign of declining despite some niggling injuries, its more his clever movement and timing in the box that has allowed him to keep up and remain so consistent.

Arriving in the league already 28 years old, Vardy spent his early years in the lower tiers playing part time before a meteoric rise through the ranks, culminating in Leicester's promotion in 2014. Perhaps it was that sense of the unknown that made Vardy so fearless in the top flight, with Claudio Ranieri building the team around his pace from counter attacks, supported by the industry of N'Golo KantÃ© and the creativity of Riyad Mahrez in that title-winning season.

Leicester have developed as a side since then. Rodgers, being something of a football purist, plays a more possession-based game that was successful in his initial seasons down to Vardy's versatility â€” being able to link play and arrive at the right time to score goals. You could sense his absence over January when Leicester really struggled, not so much down to Patson Daka's inexperience, but more the fact that this is a team that relies on a more potent number nine, as demonstrated against Burnley.

It took just shy of ten minutes for Vardy to break the deadlock in what was an otherwise cagey affair. Burnley are fighting for their life and with the Premier League predictions tipping the Clarets to go down, they were defending extremely deep in the hopes of preserving a crucial point.

Up stepped Vardy with a late strike before Harvey Barnes sealed victory. The goal was a massive weight off Rodgers' shoulders and another record broken for Vardy â€” surpassing Ian Wright for goals scored over the age of 30. Rodgers was highly complimentary of the 35-year-old, who after retiring from England has maintained his best form and has used his breaks from the team wisely, with his goals decisive for Leicester come the end of each season.

"He's super hungry. It's been frustrating for him being out, watching the team," he said. "Hopefully, we can keep him fit now and with one or two other players returning, it's going to be big over the next few months."

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