Mike Smalling
Full Member
- Joined
- Jan 27, 2018
- Messages
- 11,016
Didn't find a thread on this guy, so decided to start one.
At 21 years of age he was one of the stand-out young performers at the Euro's this summer and a major reason for Denmark's success, as he seamlessly stepped in when Eriksen was out. He continued his good form for his country yesterday with a brilliant assist vs. Scotland. After a great season as a teenager in the Danish league he moved to Sampdoria in 2020, where he seems to have established himself in the first team, making 35 appearances in the league last year - although without making a big splash (statistically at least).
Although playing mostly as a winger, I would say he is more of a wide playmaker and he is equally effective in central areas. He relies mostly on close control, quick feet, excellent technique and vision and in terms of those qualities he may be the closest we have seen to Michael Laudrup from a Danish talent - at least in a long time. He is also a threat from distance as evidenced by his two excellent goals at the Euro's.
Obligatory YouTube video:
So how far do you think he can go? He will certainly be playing for Denmark for a long time, and I think he definitely has the potential to play for a top 4 club in one the big leagues. Perhaps he needs a bit more experience and maybe to bulk up a little, as he still looks quite slight, but the ability is there.
At 21 years of age he was one of the stand-out young performers at the Euro's this summer and a major reason for Denmark's success, as he seamlessly stepped in when Eriksen was out. He continued his good form for his country yesterday with a brilliant assist vs. Scotland. After a great season as a teenager in the Danish league he moved to Sampdoria in 2020, where he seems to have established himself in the first team, making 35 appearances in the league last year - although without making a big splash (statistically at least).
Although playing mostly as a winger, I would say he is more of a wide playmaker and he is equally effective in central areas. He relies mostly on close control, quick feet, excellent technique and vision and in terms of those qualities he may be the closest we have seen to Michael Laudrup from a Danish talent - at least in a long time. He is also a threat from distance as evidenced by his two excellent goals at the Euro's.
Obligatory YouTube video:
So how far do you think he can go? He will certainly be playing for Denmark for a long time, and I think he definitely has the potential to play for a top 4 club in one the big leagues. Perhaps he needs a bit more experience and maybe to bulk up a little, as he still looks quite slight, but the ability is there.