MIRROR
Enzo Maresca backed Jamie Vardy to stay at Leicester for another crack at the Premier League.
The ex-England striker rolled back the years on Monday night, scoring twice as Leicester ensured they would return to the top flight as champions with a comfortable 3-0 win at Preston. The 37-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season but insists he wants to carry on playing. And after he took his tally for the league campaign to 18, Maresca revealed he wanted him as part of his squad next term.
The Leicester manager said: “Jamie Vardy is Leicester. Jamie Vardy has always scored goals in his life and he’s going to score goals even when he’s 40, 45. It’s in his blood to score goals. We are very lucky that he’s our player.
“Now we finish (the season), we have a game Saturday, and then we sit. But my feeling is that he’s going to stay – this is my feeling, if I can decide.”
It has been a hugely satisfying first season in charge for Maresca, who has rejuvenated the 2016 Premier League winners after their shock relegation last term.
Their promotion was confirmed when second-placed Leeds lost to QPR last Friday and, after easing to victory at Deepdale, they now have the chance to finish the campaign with 100 points in their final game against Blackburn.
