Marcelo Bielsa on how Leeds United plan to deal with Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy

MARCELO BIELSA says the pace and presence of Foxes forward Jamie Vardy will not change Leeds United’s approach to Monday night's Premier League showdown against Leicester City at Elland Road.
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Vardy took last season’s Golden Boot award after netting 23 goals for the Foxes who finished fifth and only missed on qualification for the Champions League by four points.

The Foxes forward already has six goals for the new campaign with the pacy 33-year-old striker returning from a recent calf injury to bag the only goal of the game as a second-half substitute in last weekend’s 1-0 triumph at Arsenal.

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Vardy then made his first start since the beginning of the month in Thursday night’s Europa League clash in Greece against AEK Athens and the forward’s trademark pace earned the Foxes a first-half penalty which the striker then netted himself as part of a 2-1 victory.

CLINICAL: Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy races away to celebrate his winning goal in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Premier League hosts Arsenal. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.CLINICAL: Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy races away to celebrate his winning goal in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Premier League hosts Arsenal. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.
CLINICAL: Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy races away to celebrate his winning goal in last weekend's 1-0 triumph at Premier League hosts Arsenal. Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images.

But whilst declaring his respect both for the talents of Vardy and abilities of Leicester as a side, Bielsa will make no specific changes just to deal with Vardy who remains a potent threat at 33 years old.

“He’s a very good player who scores lots of goals and he’s very quick,” said Bielsa.

“If he’s a player who’s quite old, I’m not aware of this.

“Of course, we take into account all the characteristics of the opponent’s attackers, but there won’t be any particular changes with that in mind.”

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Asked if he expected a different challenge form Leicester compared to the other Premier League tests United have experienced so far, Bielsa reasoned: “Not especially. They’re a team who have been playing the same style for some time now.

“All the teams in the Premier League are of a very high level and they present similar challenges.

“Of course, there are some teams who are above the rest, but the rest of the teams, in general, are difficult to face.

“They’re a team who manage the ball well and have the spirit to attack.”

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Bielsa has been boosted by the return of skipper Liam Cooper from a groin injury but Kalvin Phillips (shoulder) and Diego Llorente (groin) remain out along with long term absentee Adam Forshaw (hip).

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Thank you Laura Collins

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