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Kasper Schmeichel: Leicester City players held clear-the-air talks

Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel has said the players met to discuss their disappointing start to the season following Saturday's 3-0 loss at Chelsea.

The reigning Premier League champions have just eight points from the first eight games having lost four matches this season -- one more than last term's title-winning campaign.

"We've had a chat, things have been said and resolved and we move on," Denmark international Schmeichel said.

"It's a long season and we've had some bad performances away from home, starting badly and haven't been able to recover. We're confident we can turn this around.

"You look at how we have started over the last few seasons, we haven't been the quickest of starters. It's not a time to worry or panic, we come good in the middle of the season and we become really good towards the end.

"We're looking to keep going and the expectation is something that you lot [the media] like to write about."

While the Foxes are only two points above the Premier League relegation zone, manager Claudio Ranieri is confident his players can turn their form around.

He said: "Sometimes you can play well and sometimes not so well. Like at Manchester United, the first half at Chelsea was no good but in the second half we played very well. I am very confident with my team.]

"They fight and last season we were more compact but now everyone knows about us. Now we are in the balance, in the middle, and not as good as last season but it's normal for a team like Leicester.

"We want to improve but it's normal when we start the season to have something to work on because new players have come and everything is new. Maybe we want to do something more but we are Leicester, we're a good team and we have to show our qualities.

"I think we can fight in every match. Now our training sessions are Premier League and Champions League. We are getting better and have to be solid and strong and don't make any pressure about relegation."

Former England striker Alan Shearer accused Jamie Vardy on Monday of "sulking" and a "lack of effort" in the defeat at Stamford Bridge, but Ranieri insisted he gave his striker, who has not scored for club and country in eight games, instructions to stay with Chelsea defender David Luiz.

He said: "I think ex-players can say everything. Shearer is a fantastic scorer but some months you can score, some months you can't.

"If he's speaking about Chelsea I told Jamie to stay with David Luiz. I wanted to give a point of reference to my players, counter attack and leave him with David Luiz -- not his fault, it's mine maybe. It's important he stays calm, keeps his strength and he will score a goal."

Leicester host FC Copenhagen in the Champions League on Tuesday, with a 100 percent record from two games in Group G and yet to concede a goal.

Riyad Mahrez and Islam Slimani are set to return after starting on the bench at Chelsea and Ranieri said Leicester's back-to-back games against Copenhagen will define their Champions League future, with the reverse fixture in Denmark on Nov. 2.

"At this moment it's a priority because in the Premier League we must be safe at the end of the year, the Champions League is now," he said.

"The next two are very important for us and will tell us what we can do in the Champions League."