Hot-shot Vardy lauds Leicester’s ‘puppet master’

Danny Drinkwater: Celebrates Leicester's opener against Stoke

Jamie Vardy has labelled Danny Drinkwater the “puppet master” and the man who has kept Leicester’s unlikely title tilt “ticking”.

Drinkwater scored his first goal in the Premier League against Stoke City on Saturday and then set up Vardy as Leicester won  3-0 to move back to the top of the Premier League.

And while Vardy and Riyad Mahrez have hit the headlines for the Foxes this season with 16 goals and 15 goals respectively, Vardy claims the 25-year-old Drinkwater has been one of their unsung heroes.

“I’m delighted for him. We heard that it was his first goal in his 150th game so that’s brilliant for him and it’s our first outside the box, so it just shows that everyone across the team will share the goals,” Vardy told Foxes Player HD.

“He’s brilliant. He’s got great vision for a pass and he keeps us ticking. He’s the puppet master – he tries to get everyone going and pulls all the strings it’s as simple as that.

“I think that (the assist for Vardy’s goal) was lucky for Drinky! It was on his left foot and I think it was a swing and hope it goes in the right direction.

“But fair play to him – it was a brilliant ball over the top and I’ve managed to round the keeper and slot in from a tight angle.”

Leonardo Ulloa netted City’s third against Stoke – a close-range finish following good work from Mahrez – and Vardy was equally delighted for the Argentinian frontman.

“At the end of the day we want to be winning games and we want everybody to be scoring the goals. It’s brilliant for them both (Shinji Okazaki and Leonardo Ulloa) to be in the goals as well,” added Vardy.

“Leo had a little joke with me after he came on (against Stoke) saying he needs to score now. Luckily he was in the right place at the right time when Riyad pulled a flip-flap through the legs (of Wollscheid).

“I think he’s had a shot himself but it’s gone straight to Leo to poke it in. Hopefully that will help Leo to go on and bang in some more goals as well.”