Dean Smith takes a moment to appreciate Jamie Vardy's greatness | OneFootball

Admittedly, Dean Smith spent a limited amount of time with Leicester. The current Charlotte FC manager was in charge of City at the tail end of the 2022-2023 season. He is still someone who interacted directly with the now-departing Jamie Vardy.

It was an announcement, though known, that still provided a shock to the system of fans around the world. Thinking about the Foxes moving forward without Vardy just doesn't feel right, even if it needed to happen from a player-club standpoint.

The number of years the striker could be seen in royal blue, running across the pitch for LCFC, will have a lasting impact among the fanbase and supporters of other sides. He is a Premier League staple. The story of England's top flight simply cannot be told without mentioning him. If the EPL were a book, his would be a significant, long chapter in it.

Smith was present for a couple of pages in the City legend's career. Knowing what the news means to everyone who follows the sport, he took the time to speak on his direct experience with the attacker. The current MLS manager first spoke on some of the team accomplishments that Vardy achieved with the club.

Words from former Leicester manager

As shared by Soccer Sheet, an X account that focused on soccer in the Carolinas, he then offered this further insight:

He made his Premier League debut at 27 years old, and in that time, he's outscored people like Ronaldo, Ruud van Nistelrooy, players like that, which just shows you the level of caliber he's been at.

When being mentioned in the company of CR7 and RvN as a goal scorer, you're doing something right. The ability and incredible run of Vardy at LCFC is something that all will appreciate and cherish for a long time.

Now, looking to continue his career elsewhere, though sad, the appreciation of the player while he was in the East Midlands will always be remembered. In terms of top EPL production, his name is up there with some of the best who have stepped foot and competed in the world's toughest league.