Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers insists he would not swap Jamie Vardy for Harry Kane.
Arguably the two best English strikers in the Premier League will take to the field at the King Power Stadium at Saturday lunchtime when the Foxes host Tottenham.
Kane, 26, who had a loan spell with Leicester during the early part of his career, has been a revelation since breaking into the first team at Spurs. His development into an elite striker has impressed Rodgers, who remembers a young Kane from the 2013/14 season.
“Harry is very different to Jamie. I go back to a game about five years ago when I was the Liverpool manager and Harry was on bench for Tottenham then so the strides he has made over those years has been brilliant,” said Rodgers.
“The goals he has scored – he’s become a real talisman for Tottenham and for his country.”
Despite such praise, Rodgers prefers the type of striker that Vardy is. The 32-year-old has been one of the most in-form goal scorers in the Premier League since Rodgers took over at Leicester at the end of February, netting 13 times.
“Harry is a top, top player but I wouldn’t swap Jamie,” said the Foxes boss. “I have worked closely with Jamie for some time now and there’s not many in world football you would swap him for.
“He’s just got this incredible knack in terms of pressing the game and reading the game, and tactically he is so good. He has that hunger and that appetite, desire and speed to get in behind and stretch the game and score. I like that kind of striker.
“At this level, in the most competitive league in the world, he is right up there with the elite strikers in the world and I am very fortunate to have him.”
Both Kane and Vardy have a rich history of scoring goal in recent years. Asked to compare the two former England team-mates, Rodgers said: “They are different types and have very different qualities.
“Harry likes to drop deep and get involved in the build-up play and linking things. I like a striker who can really penetrate in behind and who has that speed. It’s your preference, and also what you have to work with.
“Jamie’s record over his time here shows he’s right up there, that’s for sure. I don’t think there’s any doubt he’s up there alongside Harry.
“(They are) two different strikers with two different qualities but two players right at the very highest level in this league, both have phenomenal goal scoring records.”
