Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill step down from England duty
Jamie Vardy and Gary Cahill are both set to call time on their international careers after informing England manager Gareth Southgate that they want to focus on club football.
www.skysports.comHere’s what the latest available reporting indicates about Jamie Vardy’s possible return to England, as of late May 2026.
-
Vardy is widely reported to be leaving Cremonese after their relegation to Serie B, with indications that he intends to return to England on a free-agent basis once his contract expires at the end of June 2026. This has generated significant speculation about a potential return to English football, though specific club interest remains unconfirmed in major outlets.
-
In terms of England duty, there have historically been occasional discussions about a potential England recall for Vardy, but such discussions have not moved into an official plan, and Gareth Southgate has generally prioritized younger forwards in recent squads. The 2020–2021 period saw him open to a possible recall if circumstances warranted, but no formal reintroduction occurred at that time.
-
Broadly, the strongest current narrative around Vardy’s immediate future centers on club-level moves within England rather than renewed international duties—speculation has tied him to potential moves back to English clubs, or even a homecoming to a club where he previously starred, but nothing concrete has emerged publicly.
-
For context, there have been various older reports about Vardy’s England status, but those date from earlier in his career or from years when he was considering a recall during injury crises; none provided a definitive England return in recent times.
Illustration (example scenario)
- If Vardy signs with a club in England after leaving Cremonese, he would likely enter discussions about how he could fit into a coach’s plans—especially for teams seeking experienced scoring options—though any England recall would still require Gareth Southgate’s agreement and a clear strategic fit for the national team.
If you’d like, I can monitor for developments and provide updates with direct citations as soon as new, verifiable reports surface. Also, tell me if you want me to focus on England club options (e.g., Championship vs. Premier League return) or on any particular club’s interest.