Burnley

Dion Dublin backs Jamie Vardy to make a big impact at Burnley

Dion Dublin has backed Jamie Vardy to make a major impact at Burnley.

by
Harry Whitfield
8 September 2026

Jamie Vardy in action for Cremonese during his spell in Italy.

Jamie Vardy may be 39, but Dion Dublin has no doubts the veteran striker can still make a major impact in the Championship.

Burnley moved quickly to bring in the former Leicester City and England international on Sunday following Zian Flemming’s deadline-day departure to Ipswich Town, adding a proven goalscorer to their squad.

Since leaving the Foxes in 2025, Vardy has turned out for Italian outfit Cremonese but was released at the end of last season.

A return to England with Sheffield Wednesday or West Ham United had been mooted, while a move to Brazil was also rumoured.

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Good nick

However, he has arrived at Turf Moor eager to boost the Clarets who have endured a difficult start to the season following relegation from the Premier League and currently sit bottom of the Championship with no wins from their opening five games.

In an exclusive interview with Reviant, Dublin said he believes Vardy’s pace, fitness and reputation could make him a nightmare for second-tier defenders.

And the former Aston Villa, Coventry City and Norwich City striker is speaking from experience, having played in the Championship himself at 39 during the final season of his career.

“Do I think Jamie Vardy will struggle with the physicality of the Championship at his age? No, I don’t,” Dublin said.

“I played at 39. It was the season I retired at Norwich City. Delia Smith said to me, ‘Dion, would you do another season to play until you’re 40? Then I’ll let you go.’

“Jamie Vardy has always been in really good nick. He doesn’t hold any weight. He’s not some big old unit.

“He’s very slight and still very quick. He might not be as quick as he was three or four years ago, but any team playing against Burnley now will be thinking about Jamie Vardy.”

Attention

Dublin, who now enjoys an esteemed career in television, also pointed out that Vardy’s sheer presence will open doors for and create space for his team-mates, with opposition defenders focussing on the former Premier League winner.

“The attention of their two central defenders will be fixed on Jamie Vardy,” Dublin added.

“That leaves space for everybody else because not only is Jamie Vardy a problem as a striker, it’s his persona, image, and goalscoring record that cause problems for his opponents.

“Every team, before they go out and face Burnley now, will be getting reminded by their managers: ‘Listen, don’t forget about Jamie Vardy! He does this and he does that.’

“Then someone else will pop up and score a goal from the gaps all that attention will be creating.

“I think Jamie Vardy to Burnley is a very, very good thing.”