Leicester City may already have the next Jamie Vardy in their ranks

While Jamie Vardy still feels ten years younger than he actually is, it may not be too long before Leicester City have to have a serious look at replacing him.

A fully-fit Jamie Vardy is still among the best Premier League strikers on his day, his record of 10 goals in 18 Premier League appearances this season proves exactly that.

But now is a better time than any to start the hunt for his replacement, and that could start closer to home than many would expect. City need only look to their under-18s.

Seventeen-year-old striker Chris Popov has scored an incredible 20 goals in 24 appearances at under-18 level this season, including 18 in 20 league games. It is his first year at the level having been released by Manchester United as an under-16 towards the end of last season.

It means he will also be eligible for Leicester's under-18s next season, though he has already broken into the under-23s squad and earned himself a starting berth. Popov was a left-winger at Man United, but he has developed physically over the past year and has transitioned well to become a number nine for City.

His first-half performance against Derby County under-23s on Friday afternoon raised eyebrows among the supporters in attendance. It was like watching the Jamie Vardy of 2015-16.

Popov had seemingly endless energy to close down and chase lost causes. He gave Derby's right-sided defenders and goalkeeper a torrid time. He closed down balls out wide and at the goalkeeper's feet with the full energy and force Vardy displayed in his pomp.

The Wales under-19 regular, who has also represented his country at under-21 level, took to his task on the King Power Stadium pitch like a natural. Wales manager Rob Page watched him in action for the