Chris Smalling | Roma player

[jeff_goldblum]

Smalling was a great pure defender, his strength, mobility and aerial presence were top class. He was the perfect player to have in front of De Gea to cover for his weaknesses. Just a pity he wasn't better on the ball.

 

[UnitedSofa]

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[Sunny Jim]

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His accent is hilarious but kudos where its due. Huge respect

 

[Still ill]

His accent is hilarious but kudos where its due. Huge respect

Yeah, absolutely. Over in beautiful Rome, appreciated, playing great, learning the language. Feck 'em all, Chris. Delighted for him.

 

[Ish]

I have a ton of time and respect for him. Always came across as one of the more likeable players we had in our squad, especially during the latter years he was with us (post SAF).

 

[Who's Kissing Cameras?]

So happy for him. He was the best CB in the league for 9 months under LVG.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

If Southgate actually picked on form, Smalling would be going to the World Cup, without question.

 

[The Corinthian]

I have a ton of time and respect for him. Always came across as one of the more likeable players we had in our squad, especially during the latter years he was with us (post SAF).

100%.

 

[Kag]

Always was, and clearly still is, a very, very good defender.

 

[Zlatanator]

So so happy for him, I hope he will win the league.

 

[GMoore23]

Maguire was a downgrade overall.

 

[Irwin99]

That's great that he's doing so well over there. Thought he was the clear MOTM in that Conference league final too.

 

[Amar__]

Just remember all those cnuts who abused and downplayed him over the years, even here. He even got more abuse than Jones regulary despite being our best defenders post Vidic/Rio era and being twice the player Jones is. Also compare his move to Roma with Jones refusing to sign for Marseille(or whichever French club that was).

 

[pascell]

Just remember all those cnuts who abused and downplayed him over the years, even here. He even got more abuse than Jones regulary despite being our best defenders post Vidic/Rio era and being twice the player Jones is. Also compare his move to Roma with Jones refusing to sign for Marseille(or whichever French club that was).

Those who abused him and Evans got paid their due when we signed Maguire. We were truly spoilt with Rio and Vidic, anyone following arguably one of the best PL CB partnerships was always going to come up short.

Hindsight a beautiful thing though.

 

[TheReligion]

Just remember all those cnuts who abused and downplayed him over the years, even here. He even got more abuse than Jones regulary despite being our best defenders post Vidic/Rio era and being twice the player Jones is. Also compare his move to Roma with Jones refusing to sign for Marseille(or whichever French club that was).

You terrorised him from memory and were one of his biggest critics

 

[Offside]

Overrated. Made out to be World Class in 15/16 when he played football like a puppet on strings. Found his level playing for a half-decent Italian side.

 

[Irrational.]

If Southgate actually picked on form, Smalling would be going to the World Cup, without question.

Southgate is too stubborn to change his mind. He’ll still pick Maguire ahead of him.

 

[Isotope]

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Couldn't love him more.

 

[Irwin99]

Overrated. Made out to be World Class in 15/16 when he played football like a puppet on strings. Found his level playing for a half-decent Italian side.

It was the right decision to leave, it's just kind of a shame that we substituted one centre back with problems for another with a different set of problems.

I wouldn't say he was of the class that we needed but I will say that of the three centre back prospects Sir Alex left us, he's a better defender than Evans and Jones and has had the best career of the three.

 

[Lay]

Just remember all those cnuts who abused and downplayed him over the years, even here. He even got more abuse than Jones regulary despite being our best defenders post Vidic/Rio era and being twice the player Jones is. Also compare his move to Roma with Jones refusing to sign for Marseille(or whichever French club that was).

He wishes it was Marseille. It was Bordeaux who are now in ligue 2.

Also, yes Smalling was a good defender but he was diabolical with the ball. That didn’t and still wouldn’t suit the football United want to play. Selling him was the right move, how we replaced him wasn’t the best

 

[RedTiger]

I have a ton of time and respect for him. Always came across as one of the more likeable players we had in our squad, especially during the latter years he was with us (post SAF).

True that bro, true that.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Overrated. Made out to be World Class in 15/16 when he played football like a puppet on strings. Found his level playing for a half-decent Italian side.

That doesn't even make any sense

 

[Andersonson]

I really think he fits Mourinho's style. He is a great defender when fit. Been Romas best player in several matches. Great that he's doing good. Should be in the decision for a place at the WC

 

[SportingCP96]

Change thread name to smaldini

 

[berbatrick]

Would be so great if they somehow won the league. He never got the credit due here, hopefully gets it there.

 

[Okey]

Well done Mike! Always a likeable lad and honest player. So happy to see him doing well over there.

 

[tenpoless]

Chris Piccolo ing

 

[IrishRedDevil]

How on earth did we end up with Captain fat head.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Always liked Smalling. In terms of defending and physicality he was quality. We had to move towards ball playing defenders but the fact that it was Maguire replacing him for a record fee is something else.

 

[Amar__]

He wishes it was Marseille. It was Bordeaux who are now in ligue 2.

Also, yes Smalling was a good defender but he was diabolical with the ball. That didn’t and still wouldn’t suit the football United want to play. Selling him was the right move, how we replaced him wasn’t the best

I don't think there's anything worse people say here than "selling X player was a good idea but we haven't replaced him". Who exactly was that sale good for? Glazers? What have we as fans gained by selling him? Or what did the club gain from it?

What have we gained by selling Rafael and replacing him with Darmian? Or selling Ronaldo and replacing him with Valencia?

Did thise transfers earn you money personally?

 

[Trequarista10]

I don't think there's anything worse people say here than "selling X player was a good idea but we haven't replaced him". Who exactly was that sale good for? Glazers? What have we as fans gained by selling him? Or what did the club gain from it?

What have we gained by selling Rafael and replacing him with Darmian? Or selling Ronaldo and replacing him with Valencia?

Did thise transfers earn you money personally?

Well said.

I'd happily have had Smalling as one of 3/4 CB options over the past few years. Much better defensively than Lindelof, Maguire, Bailly and Axel. We didn't exactly play tiki taka under Ole either which makes the decisiveness of the transfer strange. And AWB is probably worse in possession too. In hindsight I think the decision was very much a people pleaser, or statement of intent from Ole, that backfired.

 

[Ayoba]

He wishes it was Marseille. It was Bordeaux who are now in ligue 2.

Damn, didnt realise the great Bordeaux were relegated! Such a shame, a once great club. They've been in ligue 1 since the early 90s if memory serves me right

 

[simonhch]

Well said.

I'd happily have had Smalling as one of 3/4 CB options over the past few years. Much better defensively than Lindelof, Maguire, Bailly and Axel. We didn't exactly play tiki taka under Ole either which makes the decisiveness of the transfer strange. And AWB is probably worse in possession too. In hindsight I think the decision was very much a people pleaser, or statement of intent from Ole, that backfired.

The two ideas aren’t mutually exclusive. It’s not incorrect to say that selling him was the right option. He wanted to play regularly and really wasn’t of the required standard to do that here. He’s a person after all, not a stat in FM. Meanwhile, it is also correct to say that we should’ve brought in better players than the ones we sold for not being good enough. We didn’t. And that’s on the board/recruitment team/manager.

 

[fergiewherearethou]

Always liked Smalling. In terms of defending and physicality he was quality. We had to move towards ball playing defenders but the fact that it was Maguire replacing him for a record fee is something else.

Many of our fans, including me, thought "what an upgrade" when we got Maguire and we let Smalling go. Incredible.

 

[Red the Bear]

I'm happy for him, hope he wins the Scudetto some day.

 

[Oldyella]

Maguire was a downgrade overall.

As were Bailly and Lindelhof. We spent a fortune trying to improve on Smalling/Blind and its only this season it appears to have finally happened.

 

[Revaulx]

Sure he isn’t great on the ball, but I’ve always reckoned that he looks worse than he actually is; it’s more a matter of inelegance than incompetence. He hardly ever plays it into trouble.

Put a decent passer next to him and Bob’s your uncle. Blind would be a good shout…

 

[Rossa]

Always liked Smalling. In terms of defending and physicality he was quality. We had to move towards ball playing defenders but the fact that it was Maguire replacing him for a record fee is something else.

Smalling was a no nonsense defender. Very fast, strong, great in the air and also very sound in his one on one defending. He didn't mind being pulled wide as he knew how to defend in those situations, probably from playing RB a fair bit. He wasn't great on the ball, but nor was he particularly poor - he looked worse than he was due to his gangly style and long legs - a bit like Varane in that respect.

He was a much better defender than Maguire. Equally good in the air, arguably better, much faster, much better one on one, but not as smooth on the ball. However, I don't think he gave the ball away as much either, as Maguire does.

Great that he's doing well in Roma!

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Smalling was a no nonsense defender. Very fast, strong, great in the air and also very sound in his one on one defending. He didn't mind being pulled wide as he knew how to defend in those situations, probably from playing RB a fair bit. He wasn't great on the ball, but nor was he particularly poor - he looked worse than he was due to his gangly style and long legs - a bit like Varane in that respect.

He was a much better defender than Maguire. Equally good in the air, arguably better, much faster, much better one on one, but not as smooth on the ball. However, I don't think he gave the ball away as much either, as Maguire does.

Great that he's doing well in Roma!

I wonder if he'd do well next to Martinez. I guess we need ball playing defenders across the back 4 but it would have been a decent fit imo under a different system.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

Wasn't long ago when his wife was doing shrooms and talking about UFOs.