Could this Leicester City hero be the man to solve Everton’s defensive problems?

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With the summer transfer window in Scotland, England and Wales open until the end of August, teams from all across the boards are bidding to get the chance of getting the players they have had their eye on over the past few months.

Everton, of course, are no different. Recently, they have been exploring the possibility of signing goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel from Leicester City.

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The 29-year-old has caught their eye after keeping 15 clean sheets, and playing in every Premier League match last season, as well as helping the Foxes to an historic title win in the process.

With two years left on his current contact, Leicester have already opened talks over a new five-year deal. However, it appears that Everton’s new investors can also offer the ‘keeper an attractive salary.

Even though Schmeichel is currently on holiday, he is weighing up his next move with Everton favourites to sign him in a deal worth around £28 million.

It is no secret that there have been numerous moments where it was obvious that a new goalkeeper for Everton was required. When previous goalie, Tim Howard, was in line for a departure to the MLS, Joel Robles was the first choice replacement at the end of the season. Although he performed well, there is still a lot of speculation over if he is the long term answer.

It is clear that Everton need a goalkeeper who will challenge Robles, regardless. The task that manager Ronald Koeman has at hand, is that he needs to ensure it must be someone of the highest level, capable of usurping the Spaniard, and establishing himself as one of the top ‘keepers in the league.

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In this way, Everton can be guided back towards the upper echelons of the Premier League table, where they simply have to be with the fresh influx of money. Could Schmeichel be the man to solve Everton’s problems?

Schmeichel has definitely proved himself to be one of the best ‘keepers in the league. In last seasons Premier League, out of the 121 shots taken at him that were on target, he saved 88 of them, allowing only 33 goals to be conceded.

Some shot-stoppers can cut a rather individual and isolated figure, but not this goalkeeper. A big part of Leicester’s magic formula comes from team spirit, and Schmeichel moulds it, in many ways he has become the side’s leader.

With him on their side, Leicester have conceded fewer goals than any other side with the exception of Spurs and Manchester United. These statistics only hint at the calibre of his performances, with him making brilliant save after save. He has even marshalled one of the meanest defences in the country.

It is not only Everton who have noticed his successes. Legendary former England goalkeeper, Gordon Banks, has backed Schmeichel to become one of the best goalkeepers in the world, after his performance in helping Leicester win the Premier League. Banks said:

“Kasper is a great goalie. His dad has obviously coached him. That’s pretty obvious to me. He’s got composure, agility. He’s got everything, he can be one of the best. I’ve never seen anyone release the ball like he does.”

“You can have the winger Riyad Mahrez standing way out wide, and it goes straight to him. I can’t believe what I’m watching, I’m thinking how the hell’s he done that? He is a terrific goalie.”

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It is safe to assume that having Schmeichel on your side would be an asset to any team, with the way he’s playing now and with the acknowledgement that he still seems to have a lot more to give.

Any team that appears to be struggling in goal or having problems with its ‘keepers would benefit from having Schmeichel. It is fair to say that he would solve any in goal problems that Everton seem to be having, and even more than that, he may well be able to be the long term answer they are looking for.