TIME TO KEEP CALM & BARRY ON
KASPER SCHMEICHEL admits he will be pleased to see the back of a tumultuous year after the death of Leicester’s owner.
But the keeper insists he has never been more motivated to excel for the Foxes as he comes to terms with the loss of Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
It has been an incredible rollercoaster of emotions for the Denmark international over the past 12 months.
He was hailed at the World Cup for his outstanding displays, saving 91 per cent of shots faced and keeping two clean sheets.
He also saved three penalties before Denmark were beaten by finalists Croatia in the last 16.
It saw him short-listed for
vBramall Lane, KO 7.45pm
GARETH BARRY has been told he will play an important role in West Brom’s promotion bid – even though he’s approaching his 38th birthday.
Baggies boss Darren Moore says the former England man, 38 in February, could play at Sheffield United tonight following his impressive display against former club Aston Villa. Moore FIFA’s Golden Glove alongside Hugo Lloris and Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois, who lifted the award in September.
But Schmeichel’s pride at his performances was overshadowed and forgotten in October after the helicopter crash which claimed the lives of five people, including the Foxes owner.
No Leicester employee was closer to the chairman than Schmeichel, who waved his friend off for his ill-fated flight and was the last player to see him alive.
He has since admitted to speaking to a grief counsellor and ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Crystal Palace, he reflected: “It’s been a strange year. It’s been great in so many respects and obviously been awful in so many others.
“In a way I can’t wait for the year to be over to try and turn the page and move on.
“I’ll look back on this year with a lot of mixed feelings.”
The 32-year-old was speaking an event to launch the King Power Quad Nations for wheelchair rugby in February in Leicester.
It was part of Srivaddhanaprabha’s vision to put the city on the map and Schmeichel is determined to ensure his legacy lives on.
Schmeichel and his teammates more than did their bit to earn Leicester worldwide recognition by winning the Premier League in 2016 .
But he wants more silverware, with Leicester hosting holders Manchester City in a Carabao Cup quarter-final on Tuesday.
Schmeichel added: “Winning a league, nothing said: “Gareth’s performance against Villa was exceptional. To play at that level for 90 minutes in what was a ferociously-paced derby game is incredible.
“His appetite for the game, his intelligence, shines through. You don’t just step into a game like that without calling on all the experience you have.
“Gareth has a lot of football to play for us between now and the end of the season.” will ever compare to that – unless we do it again.
“But this club has taught me anything is possible, whether it is good or bad.
“You don’t take anything for granted. For me it’s about enjoying every single day and striving for more.
“I know one of Khun Vichai’s dreams was to win one of the cups, so that is definitely one of our aims. I would love to get far in the cup and see where we go with that. But the motivation to represent this club and Khun Vichai’s family is bigger than ever.” Schmeichel also enjoys helping City’s youngsters, the likes of Wilfred Ndidi and Ben Chilwell, both 21, and 22-yearolds James Maddison, Demarai Gray and Kelechi Iheanacho. Schmeichel added: “Our young lads are amazing and want to learn. They are always asking questions and are very inquisitive. It’s a great environment to be in and as an older player it’s a great feeling to try and help and guide a little.”
MY BLADES CAN CUT IT
CHRIS WILDER insists his ‘cut-price’ Blades can cope with a promotion challenge.
Third-place Sheffield United tonight go up against West Brom, who are fifth.
The Baggies are expected to field £12million striker Jay Rodriguez, while Wilder’s team cost little over half that in total. Last season the Blades’ Premier League push ran out of steam in the New Year. But the United boss believes they are far stronger now.
“We’re better equipped than back then in terms of numbers and experience,” said Wilder (left). “What happened last year was nothing to do with mentality or pressure. The boys have shown they can confront whatever is thrown at them.”