CHRIS SMALLING : ENGLAND'S BEST, BUT NEGLECTED?
It's another world cup year and every country and player is gearing up towards the global centerpiece. Most players in the just concluded window made decisions, looking for teams that will guarantee them playing time and a consideration for their country's world cup teams. No player wants to sit on the bench and run the risk of missing out.
This article is about the peculiar and interesting story of English centreback Chris Smalling. The centreback was a source of mockery and slander towards his final days at old Trafford as his form dipped along with that of the team in the post Sir Alex Ferguson era.
He was gladly shown the door and wished the best of luck as he joined Mourihno's new project at Italian club AS Roma.
SMALLING AT ROMA
Initially, it was believed that his move to Roma was seen as a step towards retirement. It was supposed to be his retirement route as the defender was deemed not good enough for the top echelon of English football and the Italian league is famously considered as the retirees' league.
On the other hand, the England international has been a revelation at the Italian capital, cementing his place as one of the best centrebacks in the league. In his three plus years in serie a, the center back has made 77 appearances, scoring 7 goals (including 1 in 4 this season).
This culminated in his man of the match performance in the inaugural UEFA Conference League last season. He's been a mainstay in the Roma defense churning out impressive performances week in week out. So far in the current season, Roma have only conceded one goal in 4 games (against Juventus).
In the same period, the likes of John Stones (who is mostly overrated) have played 56 games, scoring 5 goals, Maguire has made 104 appearances, scoring 4 goals.
It is widely known that most of Maguire's 104 appearances were disastrous for a man who was supposed to replace Smalling and raise the club's defense standards to new levels.
The likes of Coady and Ben White are also a level or two behind Smalling both in the raw art of defending and in experience. But they all got the invitation to play for England except Smalling, who's last appearance for the three lions came in June 2017 against Scotland.
SO WHY HASN'T SMALLING BEEN MENTIONED OR CONSIDERED?
Even in a season like this where English defenders are struggling with either game time or form, there's still been no mention or consideration for Chris Smalling.
A look at English defenders in the EPL shows that Maguire and Shaw are struggling with game time, Ben White has struggled to outdo Saliba and Gabriel at Arsenal and is being used as a fullback.
John Stones is drinking goals at Man City, Joe Gomez is struggling with Van Dijk (and he's only playing because Matip is injured) and Tyrone Mings is suffering with Aston Villa.
Conor Coady just moved to Everton after his own struggles with Wolves. That leaves only Fikayo Tomori as the other known stable defender currently enjoying good fortunes.
It's even more worrisome to hear that Southgate had called Maguire to assure him of his place in the team irrespective of his plight at United. That begs the question of whether England are serious about competing or are just going to the world cup to make up the numbers.
If the three lions are serious about competing at the world cup later this year, then there's a nedd for favoritism to be eschewed and players picked based on their current form irrespective of who they are. Saying that you are going to the world cup with ball playing defenders who can't actually defend, is like saying you want to play with a striker who can pass, but can't really score goals, it's useless.
It is time Chris Smalling was given a good look from the English coaching crew. He's a defender in the real sense of it. He's quick, tall, fast and can tackle better than all that England have at the moment. That's the primary duties of a defender, and ball playing should be secondary.
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I am surprised at how he has emerged, improved and worked upon over these seasons. Jose Mourinho saw something in him and he fanned it into flame. Why he is not considered for England? I don't like Southgate's selections. He is a political coach. He hardly choose players on merit. It's sad.
That's what Mou is best at, bringing the beat out of players especially those who are ready to learn. That's why he was so successful with the last generation of players who played the game for the love of it and had real character.
This current generation is filled with big babies who want to be pampered
We have too many big babies with overinflated egos. He likes player with the right attitude and Smalling was ready to learn as you said.