Kasper Schmeichel urges Leicester to forget last season’s FA Cup win ahead of Europa League opener
Kasper Schmeichel has warned Leicester to forget their glorious recent past as they attempt to write another chapter in this season’s Europa League.
The goalkeeper was a key member of the team that won the Premier League title in 2016, and the FA Cup earlier this year – both for the first time in the club’s history.
Leicester face Napoli at King Power Stadium on Thursday in Europe’s second competition, after being edged out of the Champions League places on the final day of each of the last two campaigns – and Schmeichel revealed the Foxes are hungry for more.
Kasper Schmeichel wants Leicester to remain hungry despite their success in recent seasons
The Foxes beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley last season to lift the FA Cup for the first time ever
He said: ‘We are in a very good place, we have had a lot of recent success but that means you have a choice to make. Are you content with that or do you want to progress and move on?
‘That’s what this club wants to do. The club continues to show it in building the new training ground, the expansion of the stadium and the transfer market. The club is always looking to improve.
‘That’s the most important thing to me when you are in an organisation which has had success – that the hunger is still there. You cannot become complacent and timid.
Leicester’s captain believes the focus needs to be on improving rather than living off the past
The club get their Europa League campaign underway at the King Power against Napoli
‘That’s when you take the foot off the gas. We have always got to be looking for what’s next. We can’t use the past for anything, that past is done.
‘There are many steps we can still take, we are looking to improve every day and this season is another opportunity.’
Leicester experienced the joy and pain of top-level sport during the final week of last season. They beat Chelsea to lift the Cup at Wembley, only to lose their final two league games to Chelsea and Tottenham and miss out on a top-four finish.
They have started this season with two wins and two defeats, after keeping their best players and spending £50million on new talent over the summer.
Youri Tielemans’ future is uncertain but Schmeichel has made it clear he wants him to stay
Schmeichel insisted: ‘If someone had offered me the FA Cup and fifth place I would have taken that any day of the week. Football is about winning trophies and we did that.
‘I only look back on that with fond memories and as a success. Would we have liked to have finished higher? Of course but is wasn’t to be.’
Midfielder Youri Tielemans’ future remains uncertain after he revealed he was undecided about whether to sign the new contract on offer with Leicester. The Belgian’s deal expires at the end of next season.
‘Youri is a world class player and he has shown over his time here what an important player he is,’ Schmeichel added. ‘From a selfish point of view I’m hoping he is here for many more years.’
