Jamie Vardy has admitted that holding onto the "brilliant" Riyad Mahrez was a major coup for Leicester City, claiming that the winger is "unstoppable" on his day.

Mahrez was named PFA Players' Player of the Year as the Foxes pulled off a stunning Premier League title triumph, with the Algeria international racking up 17 goals and 10 assists during a sensational 2015-16 campaign.

The 25-year-old's scintillating form saw him linked with a move to Europe's elite, with Liga champions Barcelona among those reported to have taken an interest in his services.

However, the former Le Havre man, who has made a stunning Goal 50 debut at No.7 in this year's list, ultimately decided to extend his stay at King Power Stadium until 2020, much to the delight of fellow forward Vardy.

"He’s brilliant, isn’t he? If he’s on his game, then there’s no stopping him and, obviously, it was good for him to sign a new deal and stay here as well," the England international told Goal.

“I think it’s good most of the lads have signed. We were all here last year and keeping the main cluster of players together was really important."

The form of Mahrez and Vardy partnership played a pivotal role in Claudio Ranieri's men recording one of the most unlikely success stories in the history of English football.

Mahrez: Messi would take my place!

Indeed, Vardy fully merited his own inclusion in the 2016 Goal 50, with the 29-year-old striker having struck 24 times during the Foxes' fairytale transformation from 5000-1 shots to Premier League champions.

The Leicester No.9 - who picked the lifting of the trophy after his side's 3-0 win over Everton on the penultimate day of the season as his most memorable moment of the last 12 months - admitted becoming a champion was a dream come true.

“It couldn’t have gone any better," said Vardy, who debuted in 11th place in the Goal 50. "It was obviously a good season and not one people will forget in a hurry.

“We were just getting on with doing what we wanted to do. The manager wanted us to get to 40 points and if you hit that target, then you set another after that.

"We were just doing it game by game and eventually every single Leicester player and fan’s dream came true when we won the league.


“The fans are brilliant home and away. They’re the 12th man with the clappers and they’re at it all the time. It definitely brings a great atmosphere and the boys appreciate it."

source:goal.com