Leicester goalkeeper Kaspar Schmeichel’s kicking ability has been compared to Cristiano Ronaldo
Kasper Schmeichel’s former coach Kevin Hitchcock claims that the Leicester City goalkeeper can connect will the ball as well as Cristiano Ronaldo.
In an interview with Goal, the New England Revolution coach revealed that Schmeichel is better with his feet than many would imagine and that the Dane loves to play outfield during training.
‘Kasper wanted to play. He is one of the goalkeepers who loves football, and he could do amazing things on the training pitch. He would do overhead kicks like Ronaldo and took free-kicks like Ronaldo,’ he said.
Kasper Schmeichel’s former coach says he took free-kicks like Cristiano Ronaldo at training
Kasper’s dad Peter Schmeichel set the overhead benchmark for the Schmeichel family when he saw a last-minute effort disallowed while playing for Manchester United against Wimbledon in 1997.
The Foxes shot-stopper, who was coached by Hitchcock during his 2008 campaign with Manchester City, has been regularly compared to his father.
Peter won five Premier League titles, a Champions League, the FA Cup three times as well as the League Cup and the UEFA Super Cup on one occasion in an illustrious eight-year spell at United.
Kasper’s dad Peter Schmeichel set the overhead benchmark for the Schmeichel family in 1997
However, Hitchcock, the former Chelsea goalkeeper-turned-coach, believes Kasper became a world-class keeper in his own right but possesses some of the advantageous qualities his father had.
Talking of his time working with Kasper, Hitchcock said: ‘He was incredible and a fantastic goalkeeper. His work ethic on the training ground was second to none. He is a leader like his dad. He learned a lot off his dad. He has just shown everybody what he is.’
‘Everyone says his dad did this; his dad did that. But he has proven he is an outstanding goalkeeper on the world stage.’
Schmeichel helped the Foxes in another impressive campaign before football was suspended, with Brendan Rogers’ side sitting third in the Premier League after 29 games.
The Denmark international was also a big part of the side that won the title in the 2015-16 season, and will no doubt go down in history as a Leicester legend.
New England Revolution coach Kevin Hitchcock compared to Kasper to Cristiano Ronaldo
KASPER’S CAREER
Clubs:
- 2005–09 Manchester City, 10 apps
- 2006 Darlington (loan), 4 apps
- 2006 Bury (loan), 29 apps
- 2007 Falkirk (loan), 17 apps
- 2007–2008 Cardiff (loan), 14 apps
- 2008 Coventry City (loan), 9 apps
- 2009–10 Notts County, 49 apps
- 2010–11 Leeds United, 40 apps
- 2011–present Leicester, 213 apps
International:
- Denmark 2013-present, 20 apps
Honours:
Notts County
- Football League Two
Leicester
- Football League Championship
