Cremonese coach Davide Nicola has revealed that ‘role model’ Jamie Vardy is continuing with his unique diet, which the Englishman says consists of pizza, port wine and a can of Red Bull.
The arrangement comes amid Vardy’s stunning start to life in Serie A, where he has netted four times in nine appearances for the newly promoted outfit.
Nicola reflected that the 38-year-old, who netted twice in Cremonese’s impressive 3-1 win over Bologna on Monday night, prepares his own breakfast at the training ground, adding that the club now tailors meals for every player rather than imposing a single menu.
He argued that cultural and dietary needs differ across the squad, maintaining that the striker’s habits are accepted because they support his performances.
‘He makes his own breakfast, Nicola told Portuguese outlet Record. ‘We have individualized meals for everyone, whether it’s breakfast or dinner.
‘There’s no longer a fixed menu for everyone. Cultures are different, needs too, even because of allergies. Everyone has their own personal menu. I don’t control that kind of thing, as it’s part of the players’ lives. They usually eat here two or three times, sometimes even for dinner.’
Jamie Vardy has made an impressive start to life in Serie A with Cremonese, scoring four goals in nine matches
Cremonese head coach Davide Nicola has revealed that the Englishman has been allowed to create his own diet
The coach then stressed Vardy’s influence within the group, observing that elite players combine technical quality with a grounded mentality.
He said: ‘He’s a role model for everyone. As a coach, I can only say that great champions are incredibly down-to-earth. They know what they have to do and how to do it. They don’t have negative attitudes towards a team like ours.
‘A champion stands out from the average player because they have qualities on the pitch, but also because of their spirit and understanding of what they represent. A champion never makes mistakes.
‘Jamie is very confident and playful, but he always trains to the maximum. He has his habits, but he came here with the mentality of being available to help.
‘A player like him needs to be understood in terms of his habits, integrated in the best possible way, and supported, putting himself in a position to make a good impression.’
Vardy’s long-running routine remains a point of interest after he described his pre-match habits in a Sky Sports feature during 2022, including caffeine heavy mornings and a cheese and ham omelette.
He said: ‘I wake up in the morning and then [have a] Red Bull. Literally I get out of bed, get the kids up and downstairs, get their breakfast sorted and then I’m straight into the Red Bull.’
He added that he follows it with coffee before having ‘my cheese and ham omelette with another can of Red Bull’.
Vardy and his wife Rebekah moved their family to Italy seeking a quieter life following the Wagatha Christie case
The forward also revealed that he previously drank port before matches, writing that ‘it helps me switch off and get to sleep a bit easier the night before a game’.
Vardy’s move to Italy has played out alongside significant off field turbulence after burglars raided the family’s Lake Garda villa last month.
The couple relocated after seeking a quieter life following the Wagatha Christie case, although their transition will feature in a forthcoming ITV documentary.
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Jamie Vardy’s new Italian club’s nutritionist shares his thoughts on veteran striker’s VERY unorthodox diet of port, beans and Red Bull as he settles into life abroad
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