Two of the best attackers to ever play in the Premier League are Jamie Vardy and Harry Kane. But it was not an easy climb to the summit.
With 143 goals in the competition, the Leicester City forward is best known for leading the Foxes to a league championship in 2015–15. Along with winning the FA Cup in 2021, he also took home the Golden Boot with 23 goals in 2019–20.
Even though Kane hasn’t won the Premier League or any other accolades with Tottenham Hotspur, his talent is undeniable. After all, the Spurs legend has scored more goals in the competition than anyone else save Alan Shearer (260).
However, as previously mentioned, the two didn’t always appear destined to reach the highest level of English football. The fact that they both started on the bench for Leicester in the second leg of their 2012–13 Championship semi-final play-off match against Watford serves as the clearest example of this idea.
Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy are benched for the Play-Off match against Watford Iconic. Troy Deeney’s goal was the highlight.
Ironically, Troy Deeney, another English striker, scored a stunning goal that made the game most memorable. However, he was representing the opposing team.
In the last moments of the rematch, Leicester fell behind 2-1 after winning the first leg 1-0. The game was headed into extra time after David Nugent’s goal and two goals from Matej Vydra.
However, Watford might go to the play-off final if the easy penalty that Antony Knockaert won in the 96th minute was converted. In the most spectacular way possible, Watford was on the counter in a matter of seconds after Manuel Almunia stopped Knockaert’s attempt. Deeney received the ball after it had been moved forward, and he arrived just in time to smash it into the net.
Jamie Vardy had it much worse as an unutilised substitute sitting on the bench, while Kane, who had entered the game in the 61st minute, could only watch in sorrow. In their place, manager Nigel Pearson had decided to launch another well-known brand.
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There was another well-known face on the bench that afternoon, which added to the mystery. Danny Drinkwater happened to be that person. In the second half, Lloyd Dyer would substitute the midfield player.
He would go on to achieve greater success in his career, much like Vardy and Kane did. Most significantly, the Englishman would be a key member of the Foxes’ Premier League-winning squad.
He would depart Leicester the following season, in contrast to Vardy. Unfortunately, Drinkwater’s plan did not work out as he struggled at Chelsea, only managing to score one goal in 23 games.
After tweeting a photo of himself on a building site in the summer of 2024, he made headlines, which finally led to his retirement in 2023 at the age of 33. The Englishman remarked, despite being ridiculed for his alleged decline in popularity: “I love being on the site grafting! It’s a decision.
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