SCHMEICHEL READY TO BOLSTER FOXES
KASPER SCHMEICHEL has dropped a clear hint that he still plans to be with Leicester at the start of the season. The Dane has entered the final year of his contract and faces competition from No.2 keeper Danny Ward. Schmeichel has said he may look for a new challenge before his career ends.
But Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers says he expects the player to be at the King Power Stadium in August.
And Schmeichel is already eyeing up Leicester’s new season opener at home to Brentford.
He maintains that Leicester can build on last season’s disappointments and launch a challenge for the top six again.
Schmeichel said: “Opening weekend fixtures are always a really good test with both teams keen to start their seasons strongly, so it’s great for us to be able to kick off our season with a home game. Brentford are a difficult opponent, as they showed with an excellent first season in the Premier League.
“But regardless of the opposition, it’ll be about us trying to put into practice everything we will have worked so hard on in pre-season.
“The journey this club has been on in my time here has been incredible.
“Although last season didn’t always go our way due to several factors, we still made progress and showed that we have what it takes to compete at the higher end of the Premier League. We’ve got challenging opening games against the likes of Chelsea, Manchester United and Arsenal, but we have the talent and spirit to push on further and I look forward to seeing what this team can do in the new season.”
Foxes manager Rodgers added: “To play three of last season’s top six in our opening six games is a challenge for any side.
“But it’s also an opportunity for us to put a marker down by showing ourselves and our fans what we are capable of as a team.”