Abdul Fatawu heads into Ghana’s World Cup match against England with advice from Jamie Vardy still in his ear. The 22-year-old said Vardy told him to “do my thing” before Tuesday’s game, a meeting that could help decide who tops Group L.
Vardy’s message to Fatawu
“He's always speaking about the game, and Vardy is one of the guys who really trusts me,” Fatawu said to The Sun ahead of the match. “He's told me to do my thing, and that is why I can't wait for the opportunity to show everyone what I can do.”
The pair built a close friendship during their time together at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium. Vardy left Leicester City last summer, but the link between the two has carried into a World Cup game with more at stake than one meeting between old teammates.
Ghana against England
Ghana play England on Tuesday, June 23, after both sides opened the World Cup with wins. Ghana beat Panama 1-0, and Fatawu came on as a second-half substitute in that match.
The England fixture sits in the middle of Ghana’s group run, with Croatia waiting on June 27 in the final game. Thomas Tuchel’s men will close the group against Panama on June 27 after beating Croatia 4-2 in their first match, so the standings can still shift quickly across Group L.
Fatawu’s value and future
Fatawu’s form also sits against a transfer backdrop. Leicester City regard him as their most valuable asset, yet the price attached to him has dropped from €45 million (£39m) last summer. Besiktas were recently linked with a €15m (£14m) move, and RB Leipzig have also been credited with interest.
That leaves the England game carrying a double edge for him: a chance to take Vardy’s advice onto the pitch, and another chance to show why his name keeps surfacing in the market. If he gets minutes, the role should be simple enough for a winger who has already been told to trust his own game.
