Chris Smalling - does he start at any other top 6 team?

[GiddyUp]

Smalling is a very good defender but a terrible football player. I don't think it has helped him that De Gea stays on his line so much, a keeper that commands his area more would definitely take the pressure of him. We do need one of our CB's to be a cool head and can play it on the ground as we just fecking panic when on the back foot.
We have problems all over the pitch but I dont think Smalling is huge one. Upgrade on Matic and someone on the right and we will be a lot more comfortable in defense.

 

[Ekeke]

Why would City take a defender from a side that has conceded many more goals than them over the past 2 seasons?

And you are wrong on the bolded. He may score more goals directly, but I've lost count of the times Laporte or Stones or Otamendi will play a pass that directly leads to a shot on goal or a goal.

Since you "lost count" here it is

Laporte has 9 in 30 games, Stones has 5 in 21 games, Otamendi has 2 in 16 games

Lindelof has 5 in 26 games, Smalling has 2 in 21 games

So not a huge difference over the course of the season between Laporte who directly set up 9 shots this season and Otamendi or Smalling who set up 2. But yes Laporte has more than our CBs. Lindelof around the same as Stones and Smalling around the same as Otamendi

So our CBs arent that far off are they, we're just missing a Laporte and he's not that great at defending.

 

[OLLY ORANGE]

Just a terrible footballing defender, totally lacks confidence on the ball, terrible passer. A decent physical footballer but whose holding of players at set pieces will cost us more and more especially with var coming in.

 

[Ekeke]

Just a terrible footballing defender, totally lacks confidence on the ball, terrible passer. A decent physical footballer but whose holding of players at set pieces will cost us more and more especially with var coming in.

Are your other 299 posts this bad?

 

[flappyjay]

Just a terrible footballing defender, totally lacks confidence on the ball, terrible passer. A decent physical footballer but whose holding of players at set pieces will cost us more and more especially with var coming in.

I am sure you know there was var in the cl and the fa cup right?

 

[B20]

So our CBs arent that far off are they, we're just missing a Laporte and he's not that great at defending.

Only the second best defender in the league.

 

[Ekeke]

I am sure you know there was var in the cl and the fa cup right?

Yeah but next time.

And if that doesn't happen, then next time.

And if it doesn't happen for 3 years, then the next time after 3 years... He'll eventually be right all along!

 

[Ekeke]

Only the second best defender in the league.

Passer.

And I'd prefer a defender who is good in europe as well, as we've just seen that isnt him

 

[Bwuk]

Passer.

And I'd prefer a defender who is good in europe as well, as we've just seen that isnt him

You must be the only person in the world who rates Smalling ahead of Laporte.

 

[Ekeke]

You must be the only person in the world who rates Smalling ahead of Laporte.

As a defender? I seriously doubt it. Seen people say in this thread alone that they think Smalling is 2nd best defender in the league so that pretty much makes your claim false before you even made it.

I'd personally choose a very good defender with someone who uses the ball well. So if anything I'd pair them together. That said if theres a CB who passes the ball as well as he does but defends better, I'd take him instead of Laporte. The passing is the cherry on top, not in place of good defending.

 

[Denis79]

Probably don't understand football or something but to me he's been our best defender for a few years now.

 

[Dolf]

Smalling is okay. We just need a Chielinni to our Bonucci.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Smalling is okay. We just need a Chielinni to our Bonucci.

Philio Jonesini.

 

[Amar__]

What seasons were those?

Season 2015/2016 - joint least conceeded goals in the league
Season 2016/2017 - second least conceeded goals in the league
Season 2017/2018 - second least conceeded goals in the league

I'm done with this specific conversation

Well, obviously you are out considering you were wrong on every subject you made.

 

[11101]

And we did that with van Gaal, during that season Smalling was one of our best players. Our attack was still shit, simply our play in final third is desperate for years and it hardly has anything to do with our defenders.

Our attack was rubbish in large part because we had 6 players in defence, with two midfielders having to cover the defenders. Do you think we had to do that when Rio and Vidic were in the team?

 

[adexkola]

Passer.

And I'd prefer a defender who is good in europe as well, as we've just seen that isnt him

Based on one game. Got it.

 

[Amar__]

Our attack was rubbish in large part because we had 6 players in defence, with two midfielders having to cover the defenders. Do you think we had to do that when Rio and Vidic were in the team?

Van Gaal played same formation with Netherlands too, it doesn't have anything to do with our quality in defence. Many good teams played with 3 defenders at the back, do you think Juventus played it too because they have shit defenders?

Our attack was rubbish mostly because we had rubbish players in attack. Finding the excuse in defence for our attack is ridiculous.

 

[cyril C]

City - no freaking way.

Chelsea - not enough star power, likely not.

Spurs - cover/backup role vs Sanchez. Alderweireld and Vertonghen are definitely their first two CB choices.

Pool - maybe, fair chance. VVD is their only confirm starter.

Arsenal - Yeap, finally they'll have a good defender at their back.

This is about the fairest comment I have seen. I would say Smalling even have a small chance in Chelsea as well. Every now and then Chelsea would wobble at the back, so having Smalling partnering with Luiz or replacing Luiz in a game or 2 might help them. As I said many times, Smalling would not be an automatic starter in many teams even Utd if we FINALLY recruit a good CB, but he is the easiest 3rd choice in most teams except City only because of their style of play. Smalling gives you a simple, reliable option when your best CB is injured, having doubt, or needing a rest.

Come to think of it, even RM, BM, PSG, Juv won't mind having such a 3rd choice CB, as long as he understands his chances in those leagues as there are not so many important games down there.

 

[Jim Reaper]

Arsenal and Liverpool.

He is better than Lovren. Id say he is better than Matip defensively. He is better than anything Arsenal have at CB right now.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Chris Smalling is almost 30 he has been hear for almost 10 years it is amazing that opinions on him still fluctuates so much. On one corner some people overstate his lack of ability on the ball but, on the other side people overstate his actual defensive ability. The likes of Van Dijk, Laporte, Alderweireld and Vertonghen are better defensively than Smalling to go all with their superior ability on the ball.

 

[Negan]

Arsenal and Liverpool.

He is better than Lovren. Id say he is better than Matip defensively. He is better than anything Arsenal have at CB right now.

Rubbish. He’s not getting in over Matip or Gomez at Liverpool. Lovren also got to a World Cup and Champions League final in the one season. Smalling could never do that. And I don’t even remotely rate Lovren.

As for Arsenal... I rate Sokratis and Koscielny above him. Absolutely. Holding looks to have a higher ceiling aswell.

 

[roseguy64]

Rubbish. He’s not getting in over Matip or Gomez at Liverpool. Lovren also got to a World Cup and Champions League final in the one season. Smalling could never do that. And I don’t even remotely rate Lovren.

As for Arsenal... I rate Sokratis and Koscielny above him. Absolutely. Holding looks to have a higher ceiling aswell.

What does Lovren being a part of 2 great teams have to do with him being a better defender? Does that mean he's better than VVD too because he only made one final?

 

[golden_blunder]

Yeah but next time.

And if that doesn't happen, then next time.

And if it doesn't happen for 3 years, then the next time after 3 years... He'll eventually be right all along!

He’ll eventually be caught out by var you know

Stealing a living

Lindelof holds the defence together

 

[Oldyella]

He’ll eventually be caught out by var you know

Stealing a living

Lindelof holds the defence together

Most players will eventually, can hardly hold that against him. But he's hardly been the disaster from game one some were predicting.

Lindelof had a decent spell where he looked good but it lasted for maybe 5 or 6 games and then we reverted to type and Smalling was our best defender again.

 

[Adisa]

Entire team is technically deficient and he's part of the problem.

 

[B20]

Sometimes I think that Smalling is still rated by United fans based on that period of great form he had a few years ago.

Sktrel had a great six months once upon a time as well, then reverted to type.

Smalling is a good defender but his ceiling is that he can, just about, hold his own well enough to not look out of place alongside good defenders. I'd currently have Matip over him (the ball playing ability tips it) and Matip is 'just' a good player doing well. No complaints and some plaudits to be had, but better should be looked for in the long run.

Fortunately, we have a much better player returning from injury. I reckon your problem is that you're still struggling with figuring out that being the best at United and a good player as such, doesn't necessarily mean he's good enough to be first choice for where United want to be.

See also Rashford.

 

[golden_blunder]

Most players will eventually, can hardly hold that against him. But he's hardly been the disaster from game one some were predicting.

Lindelof had a decent spell where he looked good but it lasted for maybe 5 or 6 games and then we reverted to type and Smalling was our best defender again.

I was being sarcastic. Those are all the stupid things I’ve read this season

 

[NJM78]

I have never ever rated Smalling above an average CB but I 100% prefer him to Jones and Rojo that's for sure.

Long for the day he doesn't start for us though, hopefully that will be from next season.

 

[Oldyella]

I was being sarcastic. Those are all the stupid things I’ve read this season

Ah. In my defense it is still early.

 

[Ekeke]

Based on one game. Got it.

Based on the season. Find me talking about Laporte as the best before that

 

[POF]

This thread . . . . .

I thought the defence played really well vs Barca in both legs. One dreadful mistake by Young aside, they looked really solid.

At 3-0 down after 2 terrible howlers at the Nou Camp vs Barcelona dominating possession, it would have been easy to capitulate. The defence looked solid and did well to keep them out apart from a worldie from Coutinho.

Smalling, Lindelof and even Jones have been very good under Ole. Looking at the current team, centre back should be the least of United's worries.

 

[11101]

Van Gaal played same formation with Netherlands too, it doesn't have anything to do with our quality in defence. Many good teams played with 3 defenders at the back, do you think Juventus played it too because they have shit defenders?

Our attack was rubbish mostly because we had rubbish players in attack. Finding the excuse in defence for our attack is ridiculous.

?

We only played 3 at the back a few times that season. We didn't have the wing backs or a good enough number 6 and LVG quickly swapped.

Most of the season was a 4 at the back with two midfielders sitting just in front of the centre backs.

 

[devilish]

We need Smalling as he adds inches at the back. He's the only 6ft3+ CB we've got. That's why I think we need to buy Joachim Andersen and Milenkovic ie two tall defenders who would allow the likes of Lindelof, Tuanzebe and co to focus on their game instead

 

[Negan]

What does Lovren being a part of 2 great teams have to do with him being a better defender? Does that mean he's better than VVD too because he only made one final?

The difference is Van Dijk is CAPABLE of doing that. Smalling doesn’t even get picked for England

 

[RedIan]

I think smalling would get in most prem teams including the top 4. Hes a good defender, rarely makes mistakes unlike Jones and Bailly - hes just lacking in his bringing the ball out but i think hes got better at that. Under rated imo. Hes played for England plenty of times.

What always surprises me is how good players we sell look in other teams...

 

[Ekeke]

We need Smalling as he adds inches at the back. He's the only 6ft3+ CB we've got. That's why I think we need to buy Joachim Andersen and Milenkovic ie two tall defenders who would allow the likes of Lindelof, Tuanzebe and co to focus on their game instead

Milenkovic is tall and gangly and about as technical as Smalling. He's young thats what he has on his side, but dont expect him to be a technical player. He'll get stronger and better at defending but he'll never be good on the ball imo.

 

[Ekeke]

The difference is Van Dijk is CAPABLE of doing that. Smalling doesn’t even get picked for England

He gets picked for United and we win more trophies than England do

 

[devilish]

Milenkovic is tall and gangly and about as technical as Smalling. He's young thats what he has on his side, but dont expect him to be a technical player. He'll get stronger and better at defending but he'll never be good on the ball imo.

He is more technical then smalling

 

[Ekeke]

He is more technical then smalling

Barely. Seen him make mistakes Smalling doesnt make with technique.

Fiorentina are the team I watch most in Serie A. Not every week but every couple

 

[Negan]

He gets picked for United and we win more trophies than England do

But we never won the big trophies since Smalling has been a regular.

Yes him and Jones have PL medals... but it was Rio, Vidic and Evans playing most of the games.