SWEETER SCHMEICHEL
World Cup proved I’m one of the best in world says Leicester keeper Kasper
KASPER SCHMEICHEL insists he belongs in an elite group of the best goalkeepers in the world and says he is only going to improve.
Schmeichel, Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois have been nominated for the FIFA Best Goalkeeper award.
The trio impressed at the World Cup, where Tottenham’s Lloris captained France to victory.
Courtois helped Belgium to third place in Russia, twice keeping clean sheets against England and inspiring a 2-1 win over Brazil in the quarter-finals.
Leicester No.1 Schmeichel played a key role as Denmark reached the last-16, where they lost to eventual runners-up Croatia on penalties.
He made two saves in the shootout after dramatically denying Luka Modric from the spot in normal time and kept clean sheets against France and Peru in the group stages.
The trio are waiting to learn who will collect the prize at a ceremony in London on September 24. Schmeichel said: “It’s is a huge honour, it’s always nice to get recognition.
“I would back myself against any keeper in the world. I think my level over the years has shown I am improving all the time.
“I had a decent World Cup and have been solid for many years in the Premier League now. I will keep on improving.”
Schmeichel is no stranger to thriving under pressure after starring when Leicester won the Premier League in 2016.
He also excelled in the following season’s run to the Champions League quarter-finals.
Now he is hungry for more success with the Foxes after agreeing a new deal until 2023 at the King Power Stadium. He added: “When you’ve had the experience of winning something as a team and achieving something as a team, that’s always what trumps it.
“The club is ambitious and wants to go in the right direction. Everybody at the club wants to stay at the club.
“We’ve very ambitious owners who have invested huge amounts of money in a new training ground and stadium redevelopment.
“Everyone has seen that and wants to be a part of building that.”
Claude Puel’s side are eighth after a promising start in and have also progressed in the EFL Cup.
They are rebuilding after losing star man Riyad Mahrez for £60million to Manchester City.
But Schmeichel reckons their squad is benefiting from the progress of youngsters Demarai Gray and Ben Chilwell, and the £22million signing of James Maddison from Norwich.
He added: “Any squad that loses a player of the quality of Riyad, you are going to feel it. But that’s the challenge in football and now we have a load of youngsters who have just as much potential.
“It’s just about them grabbing the chances now.
“They all came back in really good shape for preseason raring to go.”
I would back myself against any keeper in the world.. and I’m still improving