25% conversion rate, hot on the heels of Lewandowski, Liverpool and Spurs transfer target
Football statistics analysts WhoScored.com take a detailed look at a player whose sensational form has prompted an improbable link to arguably the biggest club in the world. For more great football stats, check out WhoScored.com.It would have been hard to predict that Jamie Vardy would be among Europe’s most potent frontman come the end of October, but after 10 Premier League games the England international has 10 goals to his name, the most in the English top flight.To add further context to his exploits, only Bundesliga duo Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Robert Lewandowski (both 13) have netted more in Europe’s top five leagues this term.Such form has seen Leicester City make a flying start to the season, with the Foxes currently sitting fifth in the top flight of English football, three points off the top.Indeed, Vardy has been key to this with his WhoScored.com rating (7.87) bettered only by teammate Riyad Mahrez (8.26) and David Silva (8.04) of all players to make at least five league starts this season.Such form has understandably attracted interest from across the continent, with Liverpool, Tottenham and – to be taken with a pinch of salt – Real Madrid all linked.While Los Blancos are highly unlikely to make a move for the 28-year-old, speculation linking the £15m-rated England international with a move to Anfield and White Hart Lane comes as little shock.A player in his form would certainly benefit both sides, whose main strikers have struggled for goals so far this campaign.Harry Kane may have bagged a hat-trick at Bournemouth on Sunday, but four goals from the opening 10 league games of the season is modest, to say the least. A 10.8% conversion rate is a disappointing return for Kane and pales in comparison to Vardy (24.4%). With Spurs arguably needing another striker once the January transfer window opens to ease the burden on Kane, they could do worse then enquire about Vardy’s availability. His age may be a concern to manager Mauricio Pochettino, but his all-action displays would appeal to the Argentine.Vardy (11) has won possession in the attacking third more times than any other player in the Premier League this season, which has unsurprisingly seen him develop a statistically calculated WhoScored.com strength of ‘defensive contribution’.In Pochettino’s high-pressing system, the Leicester striker would be a suitable fit at White Hart Lane in the current set up, even if he is approaching 30. Spurs look to have cooled their interest in Saido Berahino, yet require another striker if they are to secure a Champions League finish and Vardy, despite his age, fits the bill.They could face competition from Liverpool, who themselves have netted just nine league goals so far this season. Injuries have meant that big-money summer arrival Christian Benteke has initially been unable to replicate his best form, while Divock Origi does not look a player capable of realising his potential at Anfield.With Danny Ings sidelined for the rest of the season and Daniel Sturridge struggling to return to fitness, the Reds could do with another striker to help Benteke.Like with Pochettino’s Spurs, Vardy is well suited to the requirements of a high-pressing system, a benchmark of any Jürgen Klopp side. Given his goalscoring exploits, Liverpool could utilise a player of his calibre in their bid to secure a European berth.However, given he is currently Leicester’s star striker and unlikely to be dropped in the foreseeable future, Vardy may be reluctant to leave the King Power Stadium in January.New signings at the turn of the year often struggle to establish themselves for their new team and with Euro 2016 quickly approaching, Vardy would perhaps be wise to resist the temptation to depart for pastures new, despite alleged interest from Liverpool and Spurs.For more stats on Jamie Vardy, click here to view his WhoScored.com player page Jamie Vardy 1