Claudio Ranieri thinks Kasper Schmeichel is one of the best goalkeepers in the world and is happy China can’t swoop for him
CLAUDIO RANIERI is grateful for one small mercy – the Chinese have no chance of signing world-class Kasper Schmeichel.
Chinese Super League rules prohibit their clubs from signing foreign keepers.
And at a time when the money-crazy nation are seemingly bidding for everyone, Ranieri can rest easy.
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The Leicester boss would not want to trade Schmeichel for all the tea in China because of his importance to their team.
And he said: “China not being able to sign a foreign keeper is a good thing for me. We don’t want to sell him.
“Kasper’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world that I’ve met.
“He’s very good, solid and has a good mentality. He’s a good professional and is getting better every match.”
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Ranieri is always impressed by the way Schmeichel leads his team – but the way he responds to conceding goals.
The Italian coach said: “He always wants to re-watch the games afterwards, he wants to see everything from the video
“When we concede a goal, he immediately wants to see what happened and how it happened.
“His attitude is so good.”
“And then one of his other key skills is his personality as a leader for his team-mates. They all respect him.
“He’s not afraid to shout at the players when it’s needed.
“You must understand that the keeper is always right because he can see everything.
“The players can be under pressure but the keeper then take a look to help them.”
Ranieri admits the Foxes missed him for the six weeks he was out injured before the Christmas period.
Since returning Leicester have improved by losing two of their last six matches and he has kept a couple of clean sheets.
Now the Italian wants to start seeing his team keeping clean sheets more consistently as they aim to climb away from the danger zone.
He said: “I hope we keep clean sheets.
“Of course, I miss all my players when they don’t play. Imagine when he broke his hands, it’s normal.”
Striker Leonardo Ulloa, 30, has submitted an official transfer request during the week.
It comes at a time when Southampton have had problems with Jose Fonte wanting away – as well as Dimitri Payet and Diego Costa acting up at their clubs with interest from abroad.
Ranieri - who wants Ulloa to stay - believes players should never refuse to play because of the vast amounts of money they earn.
He said: “I can’t understand. When a player doesn’t play, they have two options.
“I stay because I look and fight for my place in the team.
“Then there is the other player who says, ‘No, I want to go to another team – maybe a lower team because I’ll get more games.’
“But I don’t understand players who don’t want to play. We must respect also this idea and respect the manager, club and fans.
“At the end of the month, they get money.
“If I pay you a lot of money and you don’t work, that is not right.
“Players must be professional because you sign a contract and, with this contract, nobody say you play all the matches.”