AHEAD of England’s Euros Group C clash with Denmark, SunSport’s Jordan Davies sat down with goalkeeping royalty from both nations: Three Lions hero David Seaman, 60, and Danish legend Peter Schmeichel, 60.
There was plenty to talk about, from their Arsenal vs Manchester United rivalry, each playing a part in Schmeichel’s son Kasper’s development and whether it really is coming home this summer…
ReutersPeter Schmeichel and David Seaman were battling at the top of the Premier League[/caption]
JORDAN DAVIES: So guys, you met up recently. What has it been like reminiscing after so many years competing against each other at the top of the Prem?
DAVID SEAMAN: It was great. Now, our relationship is better. As a player, I would just see him down the other end of the pitch and give a little wave, but we were rivals.
I wanted to be better than him and he wanted to be better than me. We were both pretty decent!
PETER SCHMEICHEL: I always looked at David and was so impressed with how calm he was all the time.
It was rivalry but we had some camaraderie as well. We’ve only ever been friendly and very respectful. We have now become friends.
JD: David, you actually mentored a very young apprentice keeper in Kasper Schmeichel during your brief spell at Manchester City in 2003, and 21 years on he is still playing at the top level for Denmark at major tournaments.
DS: He was training with us and used to catch the ball by cupping his hands up to his chest.
I would tell him: ‘You can’t catch like that!’ but then it dawned on me that his dad also did it like that, so I said: ‘Carry on!’ Now he is playing at the Euros at 37, which shows you how old I am!
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I said to Peter: ‘You must feel so proud watching your son play at something like that’.
PS: For David to do that, it just speaks to his character.
When someone like that tells you stuff, you actually listen, and listening to somebody who is not your dad, somebody who has been there and done it, that’s great.
And now, I don’t think there’s anyone in the team who loves playing for Denmark more. It has been with him all his life, so this tournament can’t get any better.
This sort of thing goes away at some point, at the end of your career, so you’ve got to enjoy it while you can.
DS: To stay at that level, especially as an international, is so tough.
I did it for 15 straight years with England and you always have others competing with you, trying to take your spot and you then get criticised.
For Kasper to have done what he has for that long shows you just how good he is.
JD: Speaking of keepers, Schmeichel’s opposite man will be Jordan Pickford. For all the doubt over England’s line-up, he remains the easiest pick for Gareth Southgate?
PS: It’s great that there is no debate over that position, no side issues. Gareth will feel relaxed in that sense.
DS: There is no talk about who the No.1 will be, and that’s great going into a major tournament.
I remember when Terry Venables came up to me just before Euro 96 and pulled me aside in training and said: ‘I want you to know, you are my No.1’ and I was like: ‘Wow’.
I was so proud and happy that someone was putting faith in me. Pickford’s standard is so high for England, and when I look back, I can barely think of a mistake he has made. That’s how consistent he has been.
PS: But, with this squad that Gareth has, there are so many question marks still. England have probably the strongest forward line in these Euros, but the backline doesn’t match up. That attack smells of goals but you need to keep balls out of your own net.
JD: Peter, you won the Euros with Denmark back in 1992, while David was watching on from home…
DS: Denmark weren’t exactly well known, were they? They didn’t qualify and got in because Yugoslavia dropped out.
It wasn’t until I saw them in that tournament that they were progressing, even John Jensen shone. Arsenal signed him off the back of those Euros because he scored a cracking goal and he went and scored one goal in four years at Arsenal!
But they were a quality team that went under the radar so there was no pressure or expectation.
PS: It was 32 years ago now. I’ve stopped thinking about it, but it never goes away, I’ll make sure of that for as long as I live. It’s an incredible thing to achieve for our country.
What people forget is how well we actually played, especially against Holland in the semi-final.
The pair are now good friends after winning seven Prem titles between them
Schmeichel and Seaman were debating ahead of England vs Denmark
JD: So, the big question – can England replicate that by going all the way in Germany?
DS: Peter is quite confident that Denmark can get something against England, which surprised me. I was like: ‘Really? Have you seen our squad?’ Going forward there is so much talent, which excites me, but England have all the expectation on them.
Gareth has got us into that situation and we are contenders to win trophies now. We are favourites alongside France and Germany to win these Euros.
PS: Denmark have got a really good squad of players right now. I was in the camp the other day and the atmosphere is fantastic.
I am confident, but England have got a good chance of winning the whole thing. England fans will talk about bringing it home, which is the funniest thing in the world because it’s never really been home.
How will the players respond to the kind of pressure that is greater than it has been before?
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