Nick has his route to Euros
Praise by champs’ boss is perfect gift for Rodgers
NICK POPE hopes staying in contention for an unlikely Golden Glove award will help book his England Euro 2020 slot.
The Burnley keeper has kept six clean sheets in 17 Premier League games this season, one behind Leicester’s Kasper Schmeichel.
If he keeps up that average of one shut-out in every three games, Pope could find himself in the running for the coveted award.
The winner has always ended up in the hands of a keeper playing for a top six club since its introduction in 2004.
“That would be lovely, wouldn’t it?” said Pope, who made his first start for England in the win over Kosovo last month.
“It’s something I’ve not really thought about, being at a club outside the top six as we currently are.
“It’s unlikely from the outside looking in, but we’ve started well and built up a few clean sheets.
“If we’re in March and we’re within one or two, and we’ve got a chance, then it’s the kind of thing you can look towards.
“I’ll ask the gaffer to play six or seven at the back and keep it super tight.”
Pope, 27, says the support and competition provided by four-time Golden Glove winner Joe Hart is keeping him on his toes ahead of today’s trip to Bournemouth.
He added: “Joe’s done a lot more in the game than I will ever do. His CV is incredible.
“To have someone like that helping me every day, rather than seeing me as a direct rival and being toxic around me, is amazing.”
Pope’s immediate priority is to help keep the Clarets out of the relegation zone.
But he admits he has one eye on next summer’s Euros when England will play the bulk of their games at Wembley.
He said: “It’s something everyone is looking forward to. We’re speaking about it at every international camp.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity so to be part of that, whether it’s playing or in the squad, would be massive.”
BRENDAN RODGERS says Pep Guardiola gave him one of the best Christmas presents he could have wished for.
The Manchester City boss gave Rodgers’ Leicester side a proper namecheck when asked about trying to chase down Liverpool for the title.
Guardiola said his side would do well to concentrate on catching Leicester first before they even tried to give the leaders a thought.
And that was music to the ears of Foxes boss Rodgers (right) who admits he finds the casual dismissal of their achievements as strangely amusing.
Leicester travel to Manchester City today in second place, four points ahead of their hosts with Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool a further 10 points clear of Rodgers’ side.
Rodgers said: “I thought that was a remarkable quote from an incredible coach. For me, that just shows you the level this team is playing at.
“It’s quite funny to hear people talking. It’s like it’s the ‘Top Six’ – and then us. I get it because there are some big clubs there with big histories and bigger budgets.
“For him to say that, is a big credit to our players and the consistency that they are showing.
“We have to continue proving our worth because there’s this perception, but we’re more than happy to do that.”
Rodgers added: “At the beginning of the season no one would have expected us to be in the position we’re in.
“But we relish going to the likes of City. They are the champions and they are a top-class team. It gives us the chance to show how we’re developing.”
Leicester go into a hectic Christmas schedule which sees them play the big title games with City today then Liverpool on Boxing Day night, with an 8pm kick off.
They then travel to West Ham December 28 for a 5.30pm kick off.
The Foxes boss said going into the New Year, and with the so-called February break not really working out for his side because of TV schedules, he has no choice but to rest players like 32-year-old ace marksman Jamie Vardy.
Rodgers said:
“The on game is about money now. You can’t say it’s about the welfare of players. We’re playing at 8pm on the 26th then on the 28th we are playing at 5.30pm.
“You can manage all that if then somewhere there is leeway for the players.
“We’ll have a busy January – which is brilliant – but the players aren’t robots.
“They have to have some respite and now because of how the fixtures have worked, there’s a possibility of a replay in the FA Cup in the period when we might be off, and then the following week we’re due to play on the Friday.”
Rodgers added: “It’s a ‘let’s pretend to have a break’ kind of thing and it’s disappointing. When I was in Scotland there was a proper break but that’s not happening here.
“I’m not sure what the answer is but it seems like there is more football and it’s unfair.”