Huddersfield goalkeeper Jonas Lossl keen to challenge Kasper Schmeichel for Denmark spot

Alam Khan - Reporter 12:49 09/05/2018
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  • Mr Consistent: Jonas Lossl.

    Jonas Lossl grew up wanting to be a great Dane in the Premier League like Peter Schmeichel.

    Now he is hoping his role in helping Huddersfield Town to try and avoid relegation against the odds will help him challenge his idol’s son Kasper as his country’s No.1.

    Lossl is set to be part of Denmark’s squad for this summer’s World Cup and is in great spirits with Town locked in a battle with Swansea to seal their top-flight status for next season.

    And, having grown up admiring the elder Schmeichel as he won titles galore at Manchester United and the 1992 European Championship with Denmark, the 29-year-old has made no secret of his aspirations.

    “You don’t have to put words into my mouth about following Peter, and the Premier League has always been the biggest ambition for me. It has always stood at the top, it’s just the biggest.

    “It would be a fantastic dream to follow Peter and play in the Premier League for years to come, to show what I can do. Peter was a great keeper, had a fantastic career, as has Kasper, and I am just very happy I am here and now have a permanent deal with Huddersfield,” the keeper, who has made just one appearance for his country to date, added.

    “When I came on loan [from Mainz last summer], I wanted to play well and I wanted to stay. I signed [the new deal] last month and that was my goal when I came here. If and when we reach our target of staying in the Premier League I will be very, very proud. Hopefully we can have more seasons in the Premier League.

    Almost immovable: Kasper Schmeichel.

    “Of course I hope to go to the World Cup and my main mission there is to put on the best show, to take in the form from this good season and to push Kasper. I need to do that for him to perform well, but also to get the chance to play myself, to show them I am ready.”

    Lossl will do his chances no harm if he can shut out Chelsea or Arsenal in the final two games – just like he did against champions Manchester City on Sunday.

    A point against Pep Guardiola’s side means a draw at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night or at home to the Gunners on Sunday should be enough to keep David Wagner’s Terriers in the top flight when they had been favourites to go down.

    “When I talked to David the first time he explained what we were going to do, to stand together,” added Lossl, who started his career at FC Midtjylland before a move to French side Guingamp in 2014.

    “We knew we were going to be the smallest team in the league, but we had to be the best team, together, and I think in a lot of games we have shown how strong we are.

    “It would be a dream to play in the World Cup, but I’d rather not compare it with trying to keep Huddersfield in the Premier League because they are different things.

    “The only thing on my mind right now is Chelsea and Arsenal. I’ve never had fear of facing those kind of teams, but respect – and I still have that.

    Impressive: Keeper has featured in every league game this term.

    “What we did against Manchester City was amazing, they are the champions and we fought for everything and kept them out. It was a massive point. Now we have to do it again.”

    Town, playing in English football’s top flight for the first time since the 1971-72 campaign, famously beat Manchester United in October and Lossl admits they try to make it ‘uncomfortable’ for the big teams.

    “I think we bring the best out of ourselves,” he added. “When we go in with the right attitude, the right momentum and the right plan we are a very strong team. As the coach would say, we are an uncomfortable team to play against.

    “We have shown that against the big teams this season and that’s what we did against City. We know we are not going to dominate a team like that, but we are going to do what we did and try to get points.

    “This season’s experience will definitely help us for next season as well. We can draw on it and I think we will be better.”

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