Simpson - Leaving

[LCCFox96]

As with Shinji, nothing but good wishes for Simpson. An outstanding signing for us and I hope he has another great 3 years or so playing at a good level. On a free transfer he'd be an excellent signing for any side pushing for promotion to the PL and some of the lower end PL sides. 

[Nicolo Barella]

On 08/05/2019 at 23:38, AKCJ said:

Wolves got clean sheets because they play 3 centre halves that sit in, Neves that never leaves his own half and one of the best goalkeepers in the league.

 

Sheffield United are different and won't be finishing 7th.

My point was they didn't get clean sheets. I recognise Sheffield United need to tighten up and they won't be finishing 7th, but surely you can meet me halfway and realise that an outdated fullback, albeit brilliant defensively, is not what Chris Wilder is likely to use when tightening his defense. 

 

By the way, Neves is poor defensively. 

[fox_favourite]

Danny Simpson: the man who proved me completely and utterly wrong and I'm so pleased he did.

 

When we signed him, I was a bit underwhelmed and couldn't see why we signed him. 1stfew games he played backed up my opinion. He was defending poorly and allowing wingers to run at him as he backed off and kept backing off. Then he had trouble off the pitch and I couldn't see a way back. How wrong I was!!

 

Fast forward 5 years and he has been an outstanding signing. Absolutely solid in our title winning side, and in the season that followed. He defended incredibly considering on some occasions he was out numbered thanks to Mahrez. It was also was noticeable when he wasn't in the team

 

The last week, he has fully demonstrated how far he has come as I think he has conducted himself very professionally and has shown that he really cares about our club. The interviews are good a good read and I commend him for that.

 

Thank you for proving me wrong and becoming an integral part of this football club. You leave with your reputation sky high. 

[brucey]

https://www.lcfc.com/tv/1213872/simpson-an-incredible-five-years

Says towards the end of that video that he’s told our players he’ll be coming back to kick them next season, so presumably he’s got a PL offer on the table. Good on him 

 

[Kopic]

Did great things for the club. Still be worth a lot to another team. Just hope the FA dont go through his old tweets.

[Vardinio'sCat]

 

Finally fulfilled his potential with us, a truly magnificent defender. The intelligence needed to be such a rock should not be underestimated. Positioning, reading the game, patience and mental resilience are all important aspects of the craft. 

 

His back post clearances were epic in 15/16. Time after time he would do just enough to stop some big attackers getting an easy finish. Even when he was beaten he would get just enough on the attacker to reduce the threat, and he had just enough pace to give wingers pause for thought. A defender's defender.

 

He will always be part of the 'classic' 15/16 eleven, and every one of them is a bone fide club legend.

 

Thank you Danny, the fine art of defending rarely saw better.

[Filbert_Ross]

On 08/05/2019 at 20:53, brucey said:

Hope this gets an airing during the lap of honour

 

 

 

Was just thinking this now and reminding myself of the words 

[sharpylcfc]

Thank you for everything Danny. Leicester legend. 

[foxinsocks]

Is simpson out of contract?  Or does his leaving depend on a golden hello and bug wage? 

[davieG]

https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/danny-simpson-reveals-leicester-city-2866520

 

Danny Simpson reveals why Leicester City will always be in his heart in exclusive interview
In an exclusive interview with LeicestershireLive, Simpson looks back at his eventful time as a City player

ByRob TannerLeicester City Editor
19:00, 14 MAY 2019

Leicester City will always be in Danny Simpson’s heart.

The full-back, who played an important role in City’s historic Premier League title success of 2016, said an emotional goodbye to the club after the final game of the season, against Chelsea on Sunday.

The 32-year-old former Manchester United trainee is moving on after nearly five years with the club, but he has vowed to return to cheer on his City team-mates - but also to return to kick a few as an opponent.

Simpson is out of contract and having fallen behind Ricardo Pereira in the pecking order for the right-back spot, he is seeking regular football elsewhere, but he admits it is not easy to say goodbye to the club that has been his home for five years, and it has been just as tough for his young daughter too.

 
“I am leaving here with amazing memories and even today my little girl was crying saying she didn’t want to leave Leicester,” he told LeicestershireLive.

“I told her not to worry because we are coming back to watch the lads. We will still come and support them. That was a sad moment.

“It was special just to get on the pitch and get some minutes.

Danny Simpson of Leicester City crosses the ball during the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Manchester City at The King Power Stadium on December 13, 2014 in Leicester, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
“The reception from the fans was special. I never thought when I signed five years ago, from day one, that I would finish my career here to that kind of reception from the fans. It is emotional.

“Thanks to all the fans. I gave my best and that was a special moment.

“I don’t know what I am going to do yet. After all the emotion of the last couple of weeks, I will go away for a couple of weeks and have a rest.

“Then I will see what the best option is. I want to play week in and week out again. I miss it. That’ s just me as a player.

“I am sure it will be sooner rather than later you will know and then hopefully I can come back here and kick some of the lads.”

It has certainly been quite a ride for Simpson and his City colleagues in those five years and he admits when he signed for newly promoted City, after being shown the door at Queens Park Rangers, he never imagined he would be part of a title-winning side and Champions League quarter finalists.

“We all had our own individual stories and we pulled together, and achieved so much,” he said.

“It would have been nice to get to a FA Cup final and we got close a couple of times, losing in the quarter-finals on penalties, in both cups. We lost to Man City here.

Danny Simpson of Leicester City with the Premier League trophy at the King Power Stadium on May 7th , 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)
“Just a Wembley final was left but just look at what we did achieve. I didn’t come here expecting Champions League and the Premier League title.

“I came here to play for a good club and a Premier League club.”

The title win and City’s European exploits are obvious highlights for the Eccles-born defender, but Simpson, who made 132 appearances for the club, savours some other special moments.

“Obviously the title and the Seville night stand out for me, but do you know what I found special for me? Vardy’s 11 consecutive game goalscoring record,” Simpson said.

“I felt like I scored that night, especially as it was against United.

“Everyone was rooting for him so much and the emotion when Christian Fuchs passed him that ball and he slotted it in, it was incredible. Against my old team as well.

“It was a nice moment for everyone but especially for him and for everything he has done and is still doing for Leicester.

“That goal summed him up really.

“There was a lot, you know. I nearly scored scored against Southampton. I will never forget that.

Danny Simpson of Leicester City applauds the crowd during the Premier League match between Leicester City and Chelsea FC at The King Power Stadium on May 12, 2019 in Leicester, United Kingdom. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
“That was the same day I cleared one off the line when Sadio Mane went around Kasper Schmeichel and I cleared it. I will never forget that game for those two different reasons.”

Simpson has had his fair share of troubles off the pitch earlier in his career but having learned from his mistakes he went on to become a role model to the young pros, often hosting talks with the aspiring young players to warn them of the pitfalls of being a professional.

“Off the pitch the club has been fantastic to me,” admitted.

“Through ups and downs they have been there from day one.

“I have grown as a person and I think they have seen the change in me.

“I will be coming back to support everyone.

“I appreciate everyone here and Leicester will be in my heart forever.”

[urban.spaceman]

 

[UniFox21]

Thought it was nice how LCFC keep in touch with him to advise on fitness routines and sessions to do to keep his levels high. 

 

[urban.spaceman]

'I couldn't stop crying... they're like my family': Danny Simpson reveals his double heartache at leaving Leicester - scene of a miracle title win but also of owner's tragic helicopter death

In public Danny Simpson kept his emotions in check but once alone he could not help the tears from falling. He had just played his last game for Leicester, on the final day against Chelsea, and as he bade farewell to staff and surroundings the memories ran through his mind.

'It was very emotional,' he says now, two months on. 'Inside I was welling up but I don't really like to cry in front of people. Then privately... It was more when I was leaving the dressing room, leaving the stadium, saying my goodbyes.'

Moving on is a fact of football, a necessary transaction, yet the bond Simpson feels for Leicester, after five years there, has a special quality. It was the place where miracles were made, the place where mourning took place.

Danny Simpson admitted sadness at leaving Leicester City after making history with the Foxes

Simpson departed Leicester as a Premier League winner from their miracle 2016 triumph

The veteran full back (right) celebrates with the trophy after the club's unlikely title tilt

 

Simpson will address those twin events of pride and pain in due course but first, as he settles into an outside booth at Piccolino restaurant in Hale, he talks about his future. 

Simpson is still a free agent and as the summer rumbles on he is weighing up potential destinations. At 32, with a Premier League winners medal in his possession, he is determined to find a good club. Celtic are interested and there are a number of options in England.

CAREER SO FAR

2006–2010: Manchester United

----> 2006: Royal Antwerp (loan)

----> 2006: Royal Antwerp (loan)

----> 2007: Sunderland (loan)

----> 2008: Ipswich Town (loan)

----> 2008–2009: Blackburn (loan)

----> 2009–2010: Newcastle (loan)

2010–2013: Newcastle United

2013–2014: Queens Park Rangers

2014–2019: Leicester City 

'I'd love to go back to the King Power to play against the lads,' he says. 'But at the same time I wouldn't rule out anything abroad, in terms of a new experience.'

Simpson has already gone abroad this summer to keep his fitness up. He spent time in Dubai with K3 Performance, training alongside the likes of Daniel James and Josh King, and has this week been in Greece with Mykonos Performance, another centre for elite athletes looking to maintain sharpness. 

'Getting away is good for your mind, and you're working in the heat,' Simpson says. 'It is making sure I'm ready for day one with the new team. I've been doing lots of fitness and strength work, a lot of hill running.'

He adds: 'It was a bit unusual seeing all the Leicester boys back in on the first of July. They are like family. I was FaceTiming them while they were in Evian and the fitness coaches sent me sessions to do. I'm still close to them.'

Strong relationships are forged when shared experiences have been as seismic as those at Leicester. There was the great escape, the 5,000-1 title triumph, an improbable Champions League run, and then disaster.

Leicester's fairytale Champions League campaign saw the Foxes reach the quarter-finals

Danny Simpson films jubilant scenes after Leicester wins league

 

At that dreadful moment last October when the helicopter carrying Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha and four others crashed outside the King Power, Simpson was with a group at the team hotel. 

'It just didn't seem real,' he reflects. 'The news filtered through but we still believed it wasn't anything to do with him. It was devastating. He was like everyone's dad, one of the most generous, kindest people I've met.

'Even through the odd incident early in my Leicester career he always supported me. He believed good people could go through tough times. Some owners might wash their hands. That wasn't Vichai.'

Foxes chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha passed away after a helicopter crash at the stadium

The football world united in its grief for the loss, prompting thousands to show their sympathy

Srivaddhanaprabha's wife and son lay wreath outside stadium

 

It isn't his son Aiyawatt, known as Top, either. Cloaked in grief, Top has emerged to steer the club on in a manner becoming of his father. That included taking the team on a post-season trip to Monaco. 

'It was a few days to spend together bonding,' Simpson says. 'Top understood from his dad how important that is. I had a few good chats with him.

'It's a completely different kind of headspace, people come out of their shell. I'll never forget the day a few years ago Shinji from nowhere grabbed the mic and was dancing and singing on stage. It was a Japanese song, so we just clapped!'

That was shortly after Okazaki joined Leicester, at the start of the glorious 2015-16 campaign. Top has aspirations to take the club back there and to that end in February he made the call to dismiss Claude Puel and appoint Brendan Rodgers. 

Former Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was appointed to replace the sacked Claude Puel

'I don't need to say too much, because what you've seen on the pitch with the same players has shown it was probably the right thing to do,' Simpson says. 'I'm pretty sure this season will show that even more.

'Brendan is the perfect fit for Leicester. He has high demands for time-keeping and the way you conduct yourself. He thinks if something creeps into that it can creep into a Saturday afternoon.'

Simpson believes with Rodgers enjoying a full pre-season and new signings in the building Leicester can gatecrash Europe again. 

'I know those players and I know the manager – I think they'll be disappointed if they don't get top six,' he says. 'As Leicester have proved before, anything is possible.'

Simpson came through Manchester United's academy but it was at Leicester where he won the Premier League. He was instrumental in establishing a miserly defence, making 30 appearances that campaign. 

'Sometimes you forget,' he says laughing. 'You're going about your day-to-day life, and people remind you. The longer it goes on the more we'll realise how big an achievement it was.

'At the time we were living in that bubble. We felt like nobody could beat us. Everyone was in sync.'

Simpson thanks Claudio Ranieri for teaching him 'a lot defensively and tactically' and he has a pragmatic take on where things unravelled for the Italian. 

Ranieri gets standing ovation in first presser as PL champion

 

'You go through such a spectacular thing and overnight things change,' he says. 'Pre-season we were in LA and new players were coming in. But are they the players that fit what we'd just built?

'We were going from Saturday-Saturday games to flying to Copenhagen, Bruges, Seville. I spoke to Ryan Giggs and he said when United first started playing in Europe it took them a few years to get used to the routine. Teams would play differently against us too. There were a lot of factors and unfortunately they changed the manager.'

The manner of Ranieri's departure prompted Jamie Carragher to offer a particularly stinging review. He accused Leicester players of downing tools and later jokingly equated Simpson to a snake. Simpson gave as good as he got, reminding Carragher he had never won the Premier League, and the pair can laugh now.

'I've met him a number of times since and it's all good,' says Simpson, who at the time held talks over an appearance on Monday Night Football. 'One day we'll go back there and I'll take my medal – don't worry about that!'

Simpson has stressed his desire to get back playing following his Leicester departure

Long-term, punditry does appeal. 'The TV channels know that is something I'd like to do in the future,' he says. 'I speak to Jermaine Jenas and he's always said if I ever need to shadow him then I can.'

First he wants to extract the most from his playing career and as his summer has shown he is ready for action. He last played on May 12, when Rodgers sent him on for the final 14 minutes against Chelsea.

'I don't think many players get to experience a reception like that,' Simpson says of the standing ovation.

The competitive edge was still there though. 'It was funny, on the touchline I saw Eden Hazard warming up. He was going on the left wing. I came on five minutes after him at right back… and thankfully I didn't make a mistake!' 

[fuchsntf]

I hope he can find a few more playing years with a decent club....A player who ruled and commanded across that B.line

That title year.and was also one of the better players in the 2 seasons afterwards...He was a stay at home fullback who covered Morgan and Huth brilliantly..

[Fox92]

Hero. Unsung hero.

 

Got to admit I never liked him as a player prior to him joining us, just seemed like one of those players I disliked, but he really did grow on me here and made me change my opinion. Solid defender.

[Fosse93]

Legend.

[TJB-fox]

All bias aside, I’ve don’t think I’ve ever seen a better last-ditch/back post defender than Danny Simpson during his time here. Never seen a right back defend his back post so well both on the floor and aerially. Time after time he would beat bigger, stronger attackers to crosses to stop easy finishes. Solid.

[MrsJohnMurphy]

If I was a newly promoted team I'd be all over getting Simpson

[sm1]

Defensively there wasn't a better British RB between 2015-17. He would improve any lower level PL defence, even now. 

[Crazy Kop Corner]

21 minutes ago, TJB-fox said:

All bias aside, I’ve don’t think I’ve ever seen a better last-ditch/back post defender than Danny Simpson during his time here. Never seen a right back defend his back post so well both on the floor and aerially. Time after time he would beat bigger, stronger attackers to crosses to stop easy finishes. Solid.

Absolutely spot on mate. He was absolutely phenomenal the year we won the league. Vichai clearly had a huge positive influence on him.

[Buzzell]

I wasn’t his biggest fan when he was here but he will always be a legend here after that title winning season.

[January47]

got a nosebleed going forward but the best defensive right back of the last ten years

 

[That_Dude]

Mister consistent. Defensively one of the best FBs in the league, only came a bit too short going forward. I liked him a lot.

 

So long Danny and all the best!

[bridport007]

Very sad when you have to move on and I guess don't really want to. He turned things around and will always be 1 of the famous 11 at City.

 

Top man Danny Simpson!!

[foxfanazer]

Another 'meh' signing turned hero. Always a Leicester legend