Schlupp Relishing Role

Schlupp’s shot led to Leo Ulloa’s equaliser with eight minutes remaining, before he saved the Foxes a replay by squeezing a stoppage time effort over the line to win in 2-1. 

The Academy graduate broke onto the scene as a striker back in 2011, and has also been a familiar fixture at left back in recent times. However he is now thriving on the left side of midfield - something that has delighted his manager. 

“I think the position that he’s playing in, it suits his game,” said Nigel Pearson. “Defensively in that role he’s very good. He gives a lot of protection to the full back, whoever plays there. His pace and his technical ability going forward is there for everybody to see. He’s a dangerous customer to come up against and it was a good finish [against Spurs].” 

Schlupp himself admitted that he is enjoying life in England’s top-flight, adding: “I was always looking forward to playing in the Premier League. I started playing regularly last season after Christmas and I just wanted to take that into this season, and I think I’ve done pretty well to adapt this season. 

“When the team play well, we see ourselves beating anyone, so credit to the team, the staff and everyone for sticking by me when I wasn’t playing earlier on in my career.” 

And as far as his new position goes, the youngster revealed that in fact it’s not all that unfamiliar to him. 

“I’m definitely comfortable there,” said Schlupp. “I’ve said in other interviews that I played on the left side of midfield pretty much my whole first season in the youth team, so it’s nothing new to me, like left back was. 

“I say it all the time – I’ll play anywhere to be in the team and in the Premier League – so I’m very comfortable at left midfield at the moment and hopefully I can get some more appearances.”