Euro 2020: Danny Ward can show his worth against Denmark after an outstanding Euros for Wales so far

Danny Ward has endured a frustrating three years at Leicester City as back-up to No 1 Kasper Schmeichel, but Wales’ Euro 2020 clash against Denmark on Saturday is the perfect setting for him to demonstrate what he is all about.

The Wales goalkeeper has not played a single Premier League game for the Foxes since joining from Liverpool for £12.5million in 2018, making just three appearances in the three seasons he did not go out on loan.

The 28-year-old has only played 14 times across all competitions for the East Midlands outfit, the latest of which came in the fifth round of the 2020-21 FA Cup against Brighton.

Danny Ward has been frustrated at Leicester but has impressed for Wales at Euro 2020

Ward has yet to make a Premier League appearance for Leicester, with Kasper Schmeichel (left) having made 114 since the former joined in 2018

He has therefore made more appearances for Wales at the Euros this month than league appearances for his clubs – Wrexham, the Reds and the Foxes – over the past ten campaigns. 

He has played only two league games since 2011, both of which came for Liverpool in the 2015-2016 season, but 48 league matches out on loan at the likes of Morecambe, Aberdeen and Huddersfield in that period have kept in going in some respects.

In the three-year period since his arrival at Leicester, Schmeichel has made 114 top-flight appearances and played in 130 games overall for the Foxes as Ward has been made to watch on from the bench as the Dane’s understudy.

Ward opened up on his frustrating spell at Leicester to the BBC earlier this month, stating: ‘I have always seen myself as a No.1 but it’s just been unfortunate, and mentally it has been tough to keep going every day.

Ward has spoken about the tough time he has endured while being the Dane’s understudy

But now Ward has the chance to show his worth when Wales face Schmeichel’s Denmark

‘But at the same time I can’t have any complaints because Kasper has been the No 1 and an unbelievable servant to Leicester.

‘And his form since I arrived at the club three years ago has maybe been kind of testament to how much I have pushed him.

‘I’m not the manager, I don’t pick the team but hopefully I will give him a little bit more to think about after this last month or so.’

So far, few could doubt that Brendan Rodgers will at least be considering handing more minutes to Ward following an outstanding Euro 2020 so far with Wales. 

Ward only played Wales’ first group game against Slovakia on their route to the semi-finals five years ago, but he has starred in all three of his country’s Group A fixtures this summer. 

Ward’s performances for Wales will have provided Brendan Rodgers with food for thought

The 28-year-old stopper started off in excellent fashion in the 1-1 draw against Switzerland, making a smart save to deny Fabian Schar’s clever flick before producing another brilliant stop to deny Breel Embolo in the second half.

He again was at his best in the victory against Turkey in Baku, making a few smart saves before a brilliant save at the death from Merih Demiral, and made a handful of smart stops to keep Italy from running away with it in their final group game.  

Despite a fumble with a catch in the second half against Roberto Mancini’s men, he has generally competed well aerially and displayed the calmness under pressure to gather hard, low and driven shots through a series of players.

He also appears to possess the communication and distribution skills required for a modern-day keeper, with a trademark, flat 50-yard kick from his hands often the main out ball and route to striker Kieffer Moore. 

Ward has made a total of 14 saves at the tournament, and kept the score down against Italy

Many people’s pick of the tournament’s keepers to date, Ward statistics in comparison to Denmark keeper Schmeichel’s at the tournament – provided by Sofascore – demonstrate the extent to which he has justified his selection over Wayne Hennessey since Wales’ warm-up game against France.

Ward has conceded twice in this tournament, while Schmeichel let in four goals during Denmark’s Group B fixtures. That gives the former a goals conceded per game average of 0.7, while the latter’s stands at 1.3.

That appears more impressive when noting that the Leicester No 1 averaged just one save per game but has failed to keep a clean sheet, while Ward was averaging more than four and managed to not concede against Turkey.

In fact, the former Liverpool stopper made eight saves from shots inside the box during the group stages combined with five from efforts outside of the area. That compares to just two inside the box and one outside for Schmeichel.

He has also shown composure to claim high balls and take pressure off his defence

Both appeared adept at taking pressure off their defence, with the Dane managing a clearance and a punch during the tournament so far, but Ward has been excellent in claiming the high ball.

Ward – who has made 16 appearances for Wales – insisted he will hold talks with Leicester when he returns from the Euros, stating: ‘I am sure there will be conversations with the relevant people.’

But for all his impressive displays on one of the biggest international stages of all, there is as yet no guarantee that Ward’s chances of seeing more game time at the King Power Stadium have increased.

That is largely credit to the status that Schmeichel has come to gain at Leicester through some inspiring work for the club on and off the pitch.

But he is not guaranteed a chance at Leicester, with Schmeichel influential and having just led Leicester to FA Cup glory

The Foxes captain – who still has another two years on his deal – is often heard creating more noise than most on the field, whether balling at his players, hounding the referee or kicking his studs against the post before a goal-kick.

But it demonstrates the leadership that has been central to becoming a figure who has won the Premier League and FA Cup, has played in the quarter-finals of the Champions League and won Danish Footballer of the Year on three occasions.

He’s won 68 caps for his country and played at a World Cup and now a Euros, as well as amassing some 426 caps for Leicester.

Saves, as much as the numbers themselves, have defined his Leicester career and few Leicester fans will be in a hurry to forget the astonishing late save to deny Mason Mount at Wembley in May. 

But there is so much more off the field that has endeared Schmeichel to fans worldwide. 

His leadership qualities came to the fore when he invited Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha to join in the celebrations at Wembley

He ensured that club chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha came down from the stands to celebrate the FA Cup trophy lift with the side, having struggled to hold back tears when dedicating the win to Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the former owner who passed away in 2018.

He then again showed his human side in Denmark’s opening game of Euro 2020 against Finland following the collapse and on-field cardiac arrest of midfielder Christian Eriksen.

The goalkeeper rushed to Eriksen’s visibly distraught long-term partner, Sabrina Kvist Jensen and consoled her while being able to comfort her with the news Eriksen was breathing.

Schmeichel has been the pillar of Leicester’s success over the last decade and holds significant standing in the Denmark dressing room too, and that is what Ward has been tasked with equalling. 

He also consoled Christian Eriksen’s visibly distraught long-term partner after the midfielder collapsed

It is therefore no surprise that given the magnitude of the challenge, Ward has been tipped to have a host of clubs chasing his signature this summer.

Sportsmail revealed this week that Wales goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts is set to join Wolves after Euro 2020, boosting the Molineux club’s hopes of landing Ward from Leicester.

Wolves are targeting Ward with current goalkeeper Rui Patricio potentially leaving the club this summer in a rebuild following the departure of manager Nuno Espirito Santo.

Ward however feels he has nothing to prove to Schmeichel or Leicester when Wales meet Denmark in Amsterdam. 

Asked if he’s spoken to Schmeichel ahead of this weekend, Ward said: ‘No.

Wales goalkeeping coach Tony Roberts move to Wolves after Euro 2020 could be key in their pursuit of Ward

‘But listen, we spend a lot of time together so obviously he knows how I work and I know how he works and on Saturday you have to remove all the emotion, whether you’re club mates or whatever, previously relationships, you have just got to go out on the pitch and do everything you can to get the win for your side.’

The emotions will certainly be running high regardless, with Ward dreaming of doing something Wales greats Neville Southall and Hennessey – who have 92 and 96 caps respectively – never managed to do and lead them to glory this summer.

But while that would still be a way off even with a victory on Saturday, a clean sheet and Welsh progression into the quarter-finals and Schmeichel and Denmark’s expense may well bring him satisfaction in the short-term.

And despite only signing a new deal at the Foxes until 2025 in April, perhaps better club career prospects await in the long term, with preying eyes certainly set to be drawn towards his situation if his stellar form continues.