Chelsea's reported Schmeichel interest doesn't concern Leicester boss Puel

Leicester City manager Claude Puel has brushed off talk of an impending bid from Chelsea for goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel.

Speculation has suggested the London club could target the Foxes and Denmark No. 1 as a potential replacement for Thibaut Courtois, who has been linked with a move to Real Madrid. The Evening Standard's Simon Johnson claims Schmeichel is on a three-man goalkeeping shortlist for the Blues.

"I am not troubled about this," Puel told Sky Sports. "Of course, Kasper is a very important player for us. He had a very strong World Cup. We need Kasper, with his character, his performance, and his consistency."

Schmeichel, who further bolstered his reputation with his performances at this summer's World Cup, has played nearly 300 competitive games across seven seasons at the King Power Stadium and was a key pillar of the Premier League title-winning side in 2015-16.

It's clear why he is an attractive target for clubs needing a new stopper, but Puel insisted there have been no concrete bids for the former Leeds United man.

When asked if Leicester had received any offers for its 'keeper, Puel said: "No. There is no problem with this. There is a lot of speculation at this moment, it is normal."

Leicester signed Liverpool backup Danny Ward in a reported £12-million deal this week. Puel has insisted the Welshman was signed as competition for Schmeichel, who has three years left on his Foxes deal, not as a replacement.