'Meticulous' Schmeichel's 2019/20 Ability Praised By Foxes Legends

LCFC Radio
15 Jan 2020
2 Minutes
The performances of ever-present goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel attracted special praise from former Leicester City legends Matt Elliott and Steve Walsh on LCFC Radio.

- Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel is praised by former captains Matt Elliott and Steve Walsh
- The Club's No.1 shot-stopper was kept eight clean sheets in 2019/20, the  joint-best top-flight record
- Elliott says Schmeichel's 'meticulous' nature means errors are rare from the Dane
- The 33-year-old's reaction saves were also discussed by Filbert Street icon Walsh 

Elliott and Walsh played with several 'keepers at the Club, including popular American Kasey Keller, penalty king Pegguy Arphexad, and the vastly-experienced former title winner Tim Flowers.

Speaking on Extra-Time, an hour-long show broadcast every Monday evening following a weekend fixture, the iconic former Foxes centre-backs picked out City's current No.1 for particular attention. 

The recently-crowned Danish Footballer of the Year has played every minute of City's best-ever start to the Premier League campaign, keeping eight clean sheets - the joint most in 2019/20.

Despite the frustration of Saturday's defeat by Southampton at King Power Stadium, Schmeichel delivered several crucial saves for Brendan Rodgers' men, highlighting his importance even further.

His reaction saves are incredible, and he’s made a few saves recently that have been overlooked. He’s right up there with the best, there’s no doubt about it.

Steve Walsh LCFC Radio

Assessing the 2016 title winner, Walsh said: "I rate him really highly. For me, what I love about him is his enthusiasm. He’s captained this team and he starts everything from the back.

"He’s so alert, so ready to counter-attack for us. He gets that ball and he can ping it out. He’s just a brilliant, all-round ‘keeper.

"His reaction saves are incredible, and he’s made a few saves recently that have been overlooked. He’s right up there with the best, there’s no doubt about it.

"When I say enthusiasm, he’s telling everybody what to do. He can play a sweeper himself because he reads the ball so well. There’s not too many times when he gets caught out."

For Elliott, meanwhile, the meticulous nature of Schmeichel's preparation, showcased by his tie-winning exploits in two Carabao Cup clashes this season, is among his most impressive traits.

He hasn’t actually had to be that spectacular at Leicester this season because they’ve been so good defensively, but more often than not, when he has been called upon, he’s come up with the goods.

Matt Elliott LCFC Radio

In Round 2, the Dane denied Newcastle United's Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden at St. James' Park, while he also parried efforts from Leighton Baines and Cenk Tosun at Goodison Park.

"He’s very focused," City's League Cup Final here in 2000 said. "He’s meticulous in everything that he does, and you see that in his game.

"One thing that’s also impressive for me is that mistakes are minimal. At certain stages in your career, a goalkeeper will make the odd mistake.

"He hasn’t actually had to be that spectacular at Leicester this season because they’ve been so good defensively, but more often than not, when he has been called upon, he’s come up with the goods."