While much has been made of Leicester City’s remarkable attacking unit this season, less has been said about a defence that boasts the fourth best record in the division. The likes of Wes Morgan and Robert Huth have proved many people wrong over the course of an incredible campaign, but behind that defensive duo has been a goalkeeper finally beginning to step out of the shadows of his famous father.
Kasper Schmeichel has been both blessed and cursed with his surname during his career. Those on the outside of the game often draw lazy comparisons to his dad, former Manchester United star Peter, who many still view as one of the modern game’s greatest ever goalkeepers. But now at the age of 29, Kasper could be on the verge of lifting the same trophy his father did on five occasions as Leicester close in on a Premier League title win that would shock the world.
“Leicester City Fans” (CC BY 2.0) by Ronnie Macdonald
Jamie Vardy, Shinji Okazaki and Riyad Mahrez have scored the goals that have seen Claudio Ranieri’s side reach the top of the league and stay there, with the club second highest scorers in the Premier League, regularly helping the Foxes score over 2.5 goals to reward those betting on them in that market after following the tips of Football Acca in the under/over betting. But it’s been the consistent and reliable performances of Schmeichel in goal that have ensured the team have a solid platform on which to build their attacks. With only a handful of games left this season, the goalkeeper will have a massive role to play in the Foxes getting over the finish line and seeing off the threat of Tottenham and Arsenal.
After coming through the ranks at Manchester City, the last club for whom his dad played, Schmeichel was loaned out six times before leaving to join Notts County in 2009. A move to Leeds United followed the season later and he went on to establish himself as one of the Championship’s best. He caught the eye of Leicester’s ambitious owners the following summer. Having played a major role in the Foxes finally reaching the Premier League in 2014, Schmeichel was one of only a few of the club’s players to come out of Leicester’s first season back in the top flight looking comfortable in his surroundings.
This has been a very different year for the Foxes, though, and memories of Nigel Pearson and relegation dog fights seem like a long time ago. Schmeichel has also been able to establish himself as Denmark’s number-one goalkeeper. While he might not have the same commanding presence of his father, the Leicester man is one of the best shot-stoppers in the league. He also has the sort of distribution skills that made his dad such an important figure for Manchester United. While Peter was known for his long throws, which launched countless attacks for his teams, Kasper is capable of turning defence into attack with a swing of his boot and some pinpoint vision.
“Leicester City (and Denmark) goalkeeper” (CC BY 2.0) by Ben Sutherland
Having improved his work at set-plays and cut out some of the mistakes he made during his younger years, Schmeichel is entering his prime and is proving he could yet achieve a similar level of success to his famous father.
