Last night, Leicester notched their first Premier League win since December as they defeated Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.
For the majority of the game it looked as if Nick Pope (£3.3m) would frustrate the Foxes and earn the Clarets a hard-fought point but Brendan Rodgers was able to call upon James Maddison (£3.9m) and Jamie Vardy (£4.1m) with 18 minutes of normal time remaining, a double substitution that changed the game.
The pair combined in the 82nd second minute to break the deadlock when the visitors’ No10 found the bottom corner with an exquisite left-footed finish.
Vardy then turned from provider to scorer when he nodded home Harvey Barnes’ (£3.9m) inviting cross from close range to seal a much-needed victory.
Dream Team managers will already be aware of Maddison’s pedigree – the 25-year-old’s 12th goal of the season (all competitions) allowed him to overtake Bernardo Silva (£4.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£5.2m) in the midfield rankings.
Only three midfielders have more points than the Leicester man at this stage.
Vardy’s return, marked with a ten-point haul, is a tempting one for Dream Team bosses.
The experienced No9 averages four points-per-game this season – only Cristiano Ronaldo (£7.5m), Diogo Jota (£5.5m), Harry Kane (£6.9m) and Mohamed Salah (£8.4m) boast a better rate among forwards.
The 35-year-old’s effective cameo at Burnley was his first appearance since Game Week 17 and yet only Mane, Jota and Salah have scored more league goals this term.
Vardy is averaging a league goal every 134 minutes in 2021/22 and with Maddison in such great form behind him, he may be able to inspire Leicester to a positive end to what has been an underwhelming campaign so far.
Dream Team gaffers have been light on options up front in recent weeks with Ronaldo and Romelu Lukaku’s (£4.9m) returns dropping off on top of injuries to the likes of Gabriel Jesus (£4.2m) and Ivan Toney (£4.1m).
Vardy’s renewed fitness offers a intriguing alternative to the highly-selected Liverpool forwards and Spurs’ prolific striker partnership.
The Foxes face Leeds, Rennes (x2) and Brentford this month (plus a more taxing visit to Arsenal) so there’s a reasonable chance of continued healthy returns from the likes of Vardy and Maddison.
Just stay away from Leicester’s defensive assets…