I rate composure extremely highly. I don't care too much about running forward with the ball or playing long passes, or whatever else most people think being good on the ball means. There's a lot more to it than that. What matters far more is composure on (and off) the ball, and how that transmits to the players around them. You can't have a defender at the top level who panics when put under pressure, or backs off receiving a pass because there's an opponent closing them down. Not only does it make them poor players, it transmits to the whole team and the opponent. Maguire is excellent for keeping his composure. Smalling is probably the worst we've ever had.
I never saw Smalling falling around all over the place under pressure. Sure I can see him recognize his inability and avoid certain situations through his own awareness of a certain lack of his own ability per se - however that's where Maguire steps in because Maguire plays in the direct opposite way to Smalling. They cover each others weaknesses.
Smalling isnt exactly Vidic either on the ball. Theres still so many physical defenders playing in the league and they aren't ball playing CB's either.
It's like this whole league plays with Gegenpressing or something when its really not done that much to the be the reason that these ball playing CB'S are played - they are played for the ability to pass.
I personally dont see Smalling's slipping up under pressure all the time like he's this John Terry like player under water.
Maybe I'm wrong - however what I do know is that if Smalling loses the ball then Smalling is the most likely in our whole squad to win that ball back anyway.
Look at 1.50 Bailly's poor ball and theres pressure from the opponent but its Smalling that gets in dirty to recover the whole thing.
Right now we dont have a single recovery defender like him - to me that is more important than ball playing or his composure under pressure which in a recovery dimension his defending is actually really good.