Schmeichel, like his father, has makings of a title winner

When it comes to comparisons with his father, Kasper Schmeichel can sometimes get a bit touchy. Understandably for a grown man of 29, he wants to stand on his own two feet, be judged on his merits rather than always be referred to as the son of Peter, one of the greatest goalkeepers to ever grace this game.

But Kasper is also intelligent. He knows that a childhood largely spent watching his dad winning league titles forms a significant part of his character now. Not surprisingly, then, that make-up is solid. Just like his dad, Kasper has turned into a leader of men, even if he does not tend to rip into his own defenders with quite the same force.

Nevertheless, Schmeichel junior has developed into a dominant personality within the Leicester City squad. More importantly, he has also turned into a very fine keeper, more than worthy of a title medal to emulate his dad.

But enough of the family stuff. Let us recognise his input over the course of this incredible campaign. Fifteen clean sheets in the league have included some saves requiring sharp reflexes and good agility.

We saw another example on Sunday in the draw at Manchester United. Trailing 1-0 with United looking sharper and hungrier than they have for most of this season, Schmeichel dropped down to his left to deny Jesse Lingard. The keeper probably saw it quite late, too, seeing as the cleanly struck shot fizzed through Robert Huth’s legs.

A big moment, that, as was the incident when Danny Simpson tangled with Lingard, and the Stretford End howled for Simpson to be sent off. Under the circumstances, it was easy to overlook Schmeichel’s part in this. Reacting quickly, he charged out of his penalty area to bale out his right-back with a decisive swipe of the boot.

Something similar came along in the second half, Schmeichel going to ground this time to knock the ball away with his midriff when a badly timed challenge would surely have seen red.

This kind of intervention points to a keen positional understanding, a vital part of a goalie’s armoury that may just have been furthered by a certain relative. Sorry, said I would not keep mentioning that.

Still, it is a small price to pay for title glory. Once over the line as a celebrated winner, people might stop wittering on about the connection. For the moment, however, irritants such as me will inevitably pass comment. Kasper’s distribution, for instance, compares favourably with Peter’s. But while the United legend was famous for those bowls of the arm to launch attacks with a huge throw, Kasper’s neat footwork is capable of achieving the same.

Against Swansea, he clipped one out to Jeffrey Schlupp that led to Leicester’s third goal. At Old Trafford, he cut across a volley from his hands to confidently find Riyad Mahrez. Jamie Vardy has also benefitted from such accurate service.

More generally, Leicester have profited from a commanding presence that forms the base of a no-nonsense defence. On such foundations, titles are built. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH

About the author: Alan Smith is a former England, Leicester and Arsenal forward and now columnist with The Daily Telegraph.