Scouting report - Allan Nielsen on Kasper Schmeichel

Like his father before him, Kasper Schmeichel is a huge part of both Leicester City and Denmark’s success, ever-present as Foxes lifted the title in 2015-16 and through the Danes’ qualification for the 2018 World Cup. Spurs and Denmark legend Allan Nielsen played with and against Peter Schmeichel and can see the similarities between the father and son goalkeepers ahead of this evening’s match at the KP Stadium...

Allan Nielsen

- Early career at Bayern Munich, Sion, Odense, FC Copenhagen and Brondby
- Joined Spurs in 1996
- Made 115 appearances 1996-2000
- Scored last-minute winner and named MOTM, 1999 League Cup Final v Leicester
- Joined Watford in 2000, played over 100 games 2000-2003
- Ended career as player/coach at Herfolge Boldklub, 2003-05
- Capped 44 times by Denmark
- Played in Euro 96, Euro 2000 and 1998 World Cup

Kasper Schmeichel

- Early career at City and loans at Darlington, Bury, Falkirk, Cardiff, Coventry
- Joined Leicester in 2011 after spells at Notts County and Leeds
- Has played over 250 times for Leicester
- Ever-present in Premier League title win, 2015-16
- Capped 31 times by Denmark

Below: Kasper Schmeichel

Peter and Kasper

Allan: “I remember Kasper would always be running around with Michael Laudrup’s son when they were eight, nine, 10-years-old when we were training with Denmark, even at the World Cup in 1998, we all had fun together. The way you look at Kasper, he has so much focus, so much determination and he’s so disciplined in what he has been doing. He’s worked his way through every single step. Peter is maybe more out going, Kasper is the quieter type off the pitch compared to his dad. Both are leaders. There are so many similarities, both so aggressive in the area and how they coach behind the team.”

Below: Allan with the League Cup and MOTM trophy in 1999

Kasper’s strengths

Allan: “To make it to where Kasper is today, 80 per cent of that is between the ears. What makes Kasper so special and so good is that he’s so determined on and off the field. He’s a winner. He wants to succeed and no matter what direction he needs to go to get to his goals, he will find a way and get to where he wants to be. In terms of skills it’s his reactions, his touch and his reading of the game with his back four. It all comes from his mental strength and performing at a high level day in, day out and that’s the strength of most professionals at the highest level.”

Below: Kasper and Christian Eriksen (left) celebrate Denmark's World Cup play-off win against ROI

Great Danes - Christian and Kasper

Allan: “In many ways, not just on the pitch, Kasper and Christian Eriksen are amazing individuals, rare individuals, role models and ambassadors for football, sport and for Denmark with their attitude and mental strength. Yes, football is one thing, but it’s also about how they are off the field, how they behave, how they look at life - these are two amazing players and individuals.”

Look out for more from Allan ahead of our trip to Watford on Saturday...