Ghanaian defender Paul Appiah, born in the Netherlands, recently shed light on the mentorship provided by Leicester City forward Jamie Vardy to young players during training sessions with the Foxes.
Having joined the former Premier League champions in November after a stint with Aston Villa, the 21-year-old is currently on a short-term loan at non-league side Maidstone, marking his debut against St Albans over the weekend.
Reflecting on his experience, Appiah spoke of the challenges posed by Vardy on the field, stating, “Vardy’s a handful. You’ve got to check your shoulders with him - you can’t miss him. If you take your eye off him for a second, he’ll catch you in behind, but training with him is good.”
Appiah continued to emphasize Vardy's supportive role, especially towards young players: “Vardy’s one of those players in the first team where he puts his arm around the young players, he helps them, he gets them through a session. He wants us to show our personality.”
Recalling a particular instance from his early sessions with Vardy, Appiah shared, “I remember one of my first sessions with him. He said I shouldn’t be afraid to put a challenge on him, so he wants the young ones to do well. That’s just how it is with the players - they know what it’s like coming up through the ranks, so they’re supportive.”
The Dutch-born Ghanaian expressed appreciation for Vardy's inclusive approach, acknowledging the striker's encouragement for young talents to assert themselves on the training ground. This supportive environment, fostered by players like Vardy, contributes to the growth and development of emerging talents within the Leicester City squad. As Appiah navigates his football journey, Vardy's mentorship proves to be a valuable asset during his loan spell at Maidstone and beyond.
