With recent links to Jamie Vardy, now aged 39, there was a mixed response from many West Ham fans, including me.
On the surface, it feels like the club should be targeting younger, more dynamic forwards. But the reports are clear, Vardy wouldn’t be arriving as the striker, only as a squad option alongside a new first‑choice No.9. The word “option” at this stage is key!
And that raises a fair question, is Vardy on the bench really such a terrible idea?
Some fans have pointed out that if West Ham are willing to go down the “experienced backup striker” route, then Niclas Füllkrug is already in the building and proving difficult to move on. But once you look at how Nuno Espírito Santo actually sets his team up, the picture changes.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s style could suit Vardy
Nuno’s West Ham isn’t built on slow possession football. It’s built on defensive organisation, narrow pressing, and direct attacking.From Leicester’s promotion push to their Premier League title, Vardy thrived in exactly the type of football Nuno plays. Even at 39, those instincts haven’t gone away. He made 27 appearances last season for Cremonese in the Serie A, bagging seven goals and three assists.
Füllkrug, meanwhile, is a very different profile. He’s a possession‑system striker and West Ham under Nuno simply aren’t a possession‑system team. Yes, Vardy is older. But West Ham fans have seen this before. As Claret and Hugh covered yesterday, Teddy Sheringham arrived at 38, played in the Championship, and was outstanding. Experience matters, especially in a squad role.
No one is pretending Vardy is the long‑term answer. The club’s primary targets remain players like Troy Parrott, Wilson Isidor or Franculino Dju. But as a one‑season option, in a system tailor‑made for his strengths, Vardy is far from the worst idea. An idea that Wrexham, our rivals in the Championship are similarly exploring. In case you needed proof.
In fact, once you strip away the initial shock factor, it starts to look surprisingly logical!
I’d go with him every time. I liked him even when he scored against us. He has the knack of being in the right place at the right time. Great off the bench. Still better than the kraut.
This needs to be put on hold until the end of the transfer window. Its looking increasingly likely that we will end up with Fulkrug still on our books as there is very little interest in him. He’s on around 35 – 40k a week so why bring in another striker on a similar salary and some 6 years older. The logical thing for me is if we are stuck with Fulkrug make him the 3rd choice striker, if he goes then look towards Vardy.
Would be our Callum Wilson for the Championship. No brainer.
i watched the vardy 3-part series on itv which showed you a little insight as to his attitude , motivation and professionalism , i’d be surprised if he went abroad again , but whether you’d get him travelling to lil ol’ West Ham is another matter , he is honest about his own fitness and he is probably prone to a few more injuries at his age as can be seen in the tv series , but if he is not being relied upon to do 90 minutes week in week out across 46 league games then i’m sure he’d do great job as a back-up , sometimes starting and/or impact player , would just be what his wages demands are and if there’s greater desire from elsewhere to sign him x
Jamie Vardy’s signing would be a very shrewd move. He wouldn’t be in coming in to lead the starting XI line, instead he’d be this season’s Callum Wilson (who scored 7 for West Ham in the EPL)…..You’d be very happy if Vardy came off the bench with twenty to go to put the ball in the net 10 times.
Sorry but this is a nonsense idea . He couldnt do it for Leicester so why , 2 years down the line , should we buy him . It shows a total lack of ambition. The same old mistakes are being made … buy on the cheap , older players , injury prone players and just rubbish that no one else wants . Looks like no one has learnt any lessons and we are going to waste what little money we have to spend . AGAIN …
Stop making stupid excuses for our board making cheap options Its as simple as that NO AMBITION AND SHORT SIGHTEDNESS
I think if Jamie wants to be an option for us the honour is both ways. Guaranteed effort, goals, true professional who does his job, and I’m sure will be rewarded by our club and supporters