Leeds United are back in the big time after their promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds have been partying hard for the past fortnight after returning to the top-flight, but, as the Whites know only too well, the hard work starts now.
Leeds need to get their recruitment right this summer, and they have been linked with a few signings already.
Manor Solomon is a Leeds target on a permanent deal after his brilliance on loan this season, while Leeds are also interested in Tomas Soucek.
Jamie Vardy is on the lookout for a new club, and speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football Podcast, Simon Grayson has been discussing the idea of Vardy heading to Leeds.
Simon Grayson shares Jamie Vardy to Leeds verdict
Grayson spoke about Leeds potentially signing Vardy.
The veteran striker has still scored a decent number of goals this season.
| Jamie Vardy stats this season | |
| Games | 33 |
| Goals | 8 |
| Assists | 3 |
Grayson reckons this could be a decent addition to the Leeds side, claiming that Vardy could be a good squad player for one season at least.
Vardy is an all-time great, and he may still have something to offer at the top level.
“Look he’s proved that he’s still got the desire and the hunger and the legs are going a little bit, but he still has something about him. One season might work as a squad player. Jamie isn’t starting for Leeds that often to be fair. If you’re relying on a 39-year-old, that’s not the message to send out he’s your number nine for the whole season,” Grayson said.
Veteran players who helped newly-promoted teams
Leeds are headed back to the Premier League, and, unfortunately, their squad isn’t packed full of players with tons of great experience at the top-level.
Indeed, a lot of these players either haven’t played Premier League football or have suffered relegation in the past, so having an experienced winner like Vardy in the side may not be a bad thing.
We’ve seen plenty of veteran players help newly-promoted teams in this way before, and it’s a strategy that can often work a treat.
| Veteran players who helped newly-promoted teams | Team | Age when signed |
| Willian | Fulham | 34 |
| Teddy Sheringham | Portsmouth | 37 |
| Esteban Cambiasso | Leicester City | 34 |
| Youri Djorkaeff | Bolton | 34 |
| Edwin van der Sar | Fulham | 31 |
Willian was amazing for Fulham despite his age when he signed, while, in the same vein, 25 years ago Edwin van der Sar really helped Fulham when he joined the club.
Esteban Cambiasso was a coup of a signing for Leicester in their first season back in the Premier League, while Teddy Sheringham made a big impact for Portsmouth back in 2003.
Youri Djorkaeff was a stroke of Sam Allardyce genius back in the early 2000s at Bolton too, while more veterans such as Ivan Campo and Fernando Hierro would follow.
Experience is so valuable for any newly-promoted team, and Leeds could do a lot worse than signing Vardy.
