KASPER SCHMEICHEL reckons Leicester are such a special club that even players who leave cannot wait to come back.
And the Foxes keeper says he has built such a “unique bond” with the team, that he is in no mood to quit for a Big Six side.
Kasper Schmeichel has praised the bond formed by players at Leicester
Players that have left Leicester like N’Golo Kante and Riyad Mahrez still reminisce about their old side
N’Golo Kante, Riyad Mahrez and Harry Maguire have headed through the King Power exit door following big-money moves.
And Schmeichel revealed some of those who quit say they cannot replace what they had at Leicester — a message today’s crop of targets might want to listen to.
The 33-year-old said: “Every player who comes back to visit says they miss it.
“When we play Chelsea with N’Golo, or Riyad with Manchester City, these players always come into our dressing room and say, ‘It’s great where we are but we miss the people and the spirit at Leicester’.
“Having been at many clubs and speaking to other players around the league, no other club communicates like we do.
“This club makes you feel valued and special.
“There are a lot of players choose to stay. Jamie Vardy could have moved.
“He’s chosen to stay here, it’s a project that he wants to be part of. I’ve stayed for many years for the same reasons.”
Leicester City’s Kasper Schmeichel is a big fan of his club’s ways
That is why Schmeichel has not pushed for a move, despite being one of the Prem’s best keepers.
The former Leeds No 1 says Leicester made him feel welcome when he signed — nine years ago yesterday — at a time when few others did.
The Dane has seen the club grow from Championship underachievers to Premier League champions in 2016 and now, under Brendan Rodgers, top-four challengers.
Today the Foxes take on Chelsea for a place in the FA Cup semi-finals.
Schmeichel, son of Manchester United keeping legend Peter, added: “It’s a case of looking at the opportunities that come along and asking yourself, ‘Is this going to be better for me? Am I going to improve myself as a keeper?’ The grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
“What I have here is a club that took me in at a time when I felt so unwelcome and they made me feel so wanted.
“From what we’ve done together, it’s created a unique bond. All the highs and lows we have had together, it’s become very much like family.
“I haven’t seen a relationship between owners, players and staff anywhere like you have here.”
The Foxes keeper has great respect for the club’s rebuilding under Brendan Rodgers
Schmeichel’s emotional ties run deep — he was one of the first on the scene when owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha lost his life in a helicopter crash at the stadium in 2018.
And he respects the way the club rebuilt through Vichai’s son Top, chief executive Susan Whelan and Rodgers.
Schmeichel added: “We have sharp leadership. It’s modern, it’s information-based. We keep everyone in the loop, they know what’s going on and they have a say.”
Schmeichel feels the FA Cup can be huge for Leicester — who have never won it in four final appearances.
He said: “Winning anything is always the goal but the FA Cup is special.
“Winning the Premier League was amazing.
“Do I feel the FA Cup is the final box to tick? Very much so.”
Watch Peter Crouch duck just in time to avoid being hit on head by Kasper Schmeichel
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
