Kasper’s got appeal
LEICESTER v CHELSEA
The Danish keeper fired from the lip when he was asked whether the Foxes’ campaign was in danger of fizzling out after a stunning start.
Brendan Rodgers’ side are third in the Premier League, but have Manchester United and Chelsea breathing down their neck for a Champions League spot.
The Foxes also fell in the semifinals of the Carabao Cup to Aston Villa and face Frank Lampard’s Blues today – a club that has twice dashed their FA Cup dreams at the quarter-finals stage in the past decade.
There is the real prospect of finishing empty-handed. When it was put to him however, Schmeichel was having none of it. He said: “It’s a massive positive that you are even asking that question – it means there’s an expectation on us.
“It means we are one of the better sides in the Premier League. People have come to expect things of us. And that’s what we do – we expect things of ourselves.
“Of course, with the size of the so-called big six, it’s difficult for us to break into that.
“But when you look at the structures, the parameters we are working within and that are already in place, it’s not.
“This club is run like a top club. With time, I believe we can get there. We have the best manager we could possibly have. The best owner we could possibly have.
“Everything is in place for us to kick on. We will soon have one of the best training grounds in Europe, if not the world. Expansion plans for the stadium are in place. Everything is there for us to kick on and become one of the bigger clubs. Everything is going in the right direction.” Schmeichel arrived in the east Midlands at a crossroads in his career. After the high of that 5,000-1 title triumph and the Champions League adventure which followed there came the tragedy that befell owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha who died in a helicopter crash. But Schmeichel clearly feels strong ties to Leicester. And he maintains he’s not alone. He added: “This club makes you feel special. “When you look at the squad, there’s a lot of players who choose to stay here. Jamie Vardy could have moved. He wants to be part of it. I have stayed. wanted to be a it.
“This club took me in at during my when I felt and they made me feel so wanted.
“From what we have done together, it’s created a unique bond.
“All the highs and lows we have had together, it’s become very much like family. This club makes you feel valued, feel special.”
I part of
a time career so unwelcome
Age: 33 Born: Copenhagen Height: 6ft 2ins (1.89m) Leicester 2011PL games 194 Clean sheets 58 Goals conceded 244 Saves 560 Save percent % 69.5 Pens faced 25 Pens saved 4 Caps (Denmark) 53
We have the best manager we could have. The best owner