Jamie Vardy could be in Burnley’s squad to face Swansea City at the Swansea.com Stadium, and the veteran striker arrives with the sort of experience that can change the tone of a game very quickly. Burnley are still looking for their first league win of the season after a difficult start, but Vitor Matos has warned that Vardy should not be judged by age alone.
The 39-year-old joined Burnley this week after departing Cremonese, and he arrives with a record that speaks for itself: 200 goals and 500 appearances. Burnley were relegated from the Premier League last term, and their early Championship form has left them in the bottom three, so there is immediate pressure on the Clarets to find a response.
Vitor Matos: Vardy can still hurt teams
Matos made clear that Vardy still has the instincts to matter at this level. He described him as “someone who understands how to score goals” and added that his movement and finishing remain major weapons.
“He moves really well - he always did that. He has a lot of talent - his finishing skills are there,” Matos said.
The Swansea head coach also pointed out that age changes the profile of a player, but not necessarily the threat. “Of course it's different when you are 39 compared to when you are 25, but the experience is there and when he has still the desire to play, of course he can have impact,” he said.
That is the key point for Burnley. Vardy may no longer be the same player who powered Leicester City through the Premier League years, but his value is obvious if he can still stretch defenders, read space early and finish the chances that come his way. In a team that needs a lift, that is exactly the sort of edge Burnley will be hoping for.
Swansea know Burnley are better than the table suggests
Matos also pushed back against the idea that Burnley’s league position tells the full story. He said their early results “doesn't really translate to how they are”, describing them as a “really good squad, good players, new coach” and adding that they are still “in this moment of adjusting themselves”.
He believes there is more quality in the side than the table shows. “The quality is there,” he said, and he also noted that there had been matches where Burnley could have taken more from the game. At the same time, he expects a strong challenge at the Swansea.com Stadium.
“I think there were games where they could have had more… but it is an early stage in the season still and I really expect a good game from them,” he said.
That leaves this as more than just a storyline about one veteran striker. Swansea City are preparing for a Burnley side with pressure on them, but also with a potentially decisive new attacking option. If Vardy is included, the question is not simply whether he can cope at 39, but whether Burnley can use his experience to turn a poor start into momentum.
