I rate Jones higher, but the guy can't be trusted to be fit when needed, so in the end he's less useful than Smalling.
Smalling or Jones - who goes?
- Thread starter Paxi
- Start date
Ideally both. One this summer with us resigning Keane and the other next January/Summer after Rojo returns to full fitness.
Looks like Smalling may be on his way.
They're both excellent defenders, but Jones is better with the ball at his feet.
If Smalling does leave, he'll be amazing for whomever buys him. Arsenal could do a lot worse. There aren't many pure defenders than him around. He's not much worse than Sol Campbell was on the ball, either.
If Smalling does leave, he'll be amazing for whomever buys him. Arsenal could do a lot worse. There aren't many pure defenders than him around. He's not much worse than Sol Campbell was on the ball, either.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
Yeah such an excellent defender that he's being binned by Jose, and elite teams like WBA and West Ham are interested.
Thats an embarrassment.
Some how i feel both lads were on the chopping block and maybe Jones would have left if we signed Keane as they both seem to have a similar style of defending. Lindelof Profiles seems more like smalling but hopefully an improvement on him
For some reason i'll be sad to see Smalling go even though I know deep down he will never be our Rio or Vida and someone you want against the best teams in the world, I just hoped he would step up and well be better than he actually is, he's 27 now and you just feel if he was to take that step up he would of done it by now,
Also because you know he does have it in him to be a beast when he want's to be but unfortunately thats not good enough if you want to win titles, hey ho, i just hope we add or bring through more british players into the team.
Also because you know he does have it in him to be a beast when he want's to be but unfortunately thats not good enough if you want to win titles, hey ho, i just hope we add or bring through more british players into the team.
Smalling is definitely the best in the air...
They both have their flaws, Smalling has some qualities the other defenders dont have
Id rather sell Jones. Jones is made of glass and Smalling I believe is more composed
That news gives me such a warm feeling inside. These clubs are more his level. Hopefully this can be wrapped up asap.
I think selling Smalling over Jones will prove to be a mistake.
Tweet
— Twitter API (@user) date
Tell us what you really think, Jose...
Good share. Blind was very good again during the Final and carried the ball from the ball when he could. Smalling and Blind compliment each other well.
Why is this not a poll? So many are conflicted about this - we need a final answer guys
None, depth and English contingent. Unless we get a 30 million or some dumb offer for Smalling then he can be off
You can't have Rojo, Bailly, Smalling, Blind, Lindelof, Jones + Fosu Mensah & Tuanzebe all in one squad.
One of them has to go and my money's on Jones.
One of them has to go and my money's on Jones.
None of them should go. Having english players in the team is very important. Problem is... All of our pre-Mou defenders are vulnerable in some way. Jones is a fighter but he is injured all the time. Rojo is too aggressive and should have been sent off on multiple occations last season - and he is having difficulty handling powerful forwards. Smalling looks like a nervous wreck every time he's in possesion of the ball, and his positioning is terrible. Blind is very likeable, but he is slower than a turtle in reverse. Fosu and Tuanzebe are not ready for a place in the starting XI in my opinion. If I had to choose one of the English CB's to leave it would have to be Smalling.
Funny how that was an endearing quality in players of the past like Keane and Scholes, some of our best players but now Rojo's getting stick for it. Which forwards did he have difficulty handling cause as how I remember it, not much got past him last season? I agree that having English players is important but are you happy for them to make up the numbers even if they're not good enough. We've had 3/4 years of mediocrity and people are complaining about not challenging for the title. We really need to start building a deep, strong squad if we want to take on the Madrids and Bayerns of this world.
Smalling has a new agent, doubt it's to sort him out a new contract.
Having good English players maybe, having them for the sake of it and on big wages is pointless.
I would rather sell Blind (who is most similar to Lindelof) or Jones than Smalling.
Wenger might be interested in Smalling so why not include him and 50m in a Sanchez deal
Wenger might be interested in Smalling so why not include him and 50m in a Sanchez deal
From the last paragraph. Seems like the plan is not to have the ball through midfield. Mostly because Ajax like to press high.
Also. In his word "Defensive creativity is only in emergency situation". And "for me, beautiful is not giving our opponents what they want". Seems like the plan went through really well, and Smalling went on as the best CB in that Final game.
Last edited:
I think he was quite easily outmuscled on many occations during the season. And not just by huge players like Lukaku.
About the aggressive tackles... When Keane and Scholes did it, it wasn't endearing at all. They probably deserved most of the red cards they received. It is possible to fight for your team, without losing your head you know. Rojo has to work on that.
I don't want United to keep mediocre players just because they're English. If we meet the requirements regarding homegrown players, then I have no problem selling players like Smalling or Jones.
Ha. That's what I said while watching the final, that he was trying to make the midfield obsolete by playing the long ball. Kind of the way ROI play most the time. Kind of sad but it won us the match. Mourinho was never going to take any risks against Ajax, and I for one am grateful he set us up the we he did.
Yeah but they were/are perceived as legends and added that steel we had in midfield. Even though yes, they were red cards waiting to happen, we always wanted them in the starting XI. I'm just saying it's a bit unfair to be putting Rojo down because of it.
As to being outmuscled, it must have been the odd occasion because I seriously can't remember many players getting the better of him. Yeah he had his moments but he was immense until his injury.
Neither. Once again people seem to be underestimating our injury woes so let me give a recap:
During the season Baily, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Fosu Mensah, Young, and Shaw were all out at one time, leaving us without both our starting and back up CBs and LBs. Why not have a stacked squad ready to compete on all fronts just like Madrid?
During the season Baily, Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Fosu Mensah, Young, and Shaw were all out at one time, leaving us without both our starting and back up CBs and LBs. Why not have a stacked squad ready to compete on all fronts just like Madrid?
Genuine question: who would you sell him to? Which club would pay any money for him on a transfer fee or on his wages?
Wenger is interested in everybody. But he won't pay much for Smalling because he knows he isn't particularly good.I would rather sell Blind (who is most similar to Lindelof) or Jones than Smalling.
Wenger might be interested in Smalling so why not include him and 50m in a Sanchez deal
A club in the bottom half of the table is the right level for Smalling.
Agreed. Even West Ham now turning their nose up at our 'best CB'??
How do you think we'll ship him off though?
Smalling has a good sale value, though knowing us it'll be £10m when it should be double.
Yep, Rojo is out for 6months, leaving us with Bailly, Lindelof who it's impossible to say how quickly he'll settle, and the oft injured Smalling and Jones. Blind clearly not being fancied underneath the rest.
You sell Smalling and Jones gets an injury, you're putting one hell of a lot of faith in one pair.
You're asking me? All I know is this: 8 CBs is beyond overload.
You're counting players Jose doesn't count as options for one thing.
The centre back options are
Bailly - Lindelof first choice
Jones-Smalling backup
Rojo out for 6months
Blind - not really favoured.
That's 6, call it 5 as Rojo is out, and 4 because Blind is emergency.
Suddenly 4 doesn't look too wild a number, especially as Jones plays 1/3 of a season max, and Smalling often picks up medium terms too.
No-one will buy Jones for a fee that makes it worth our while.
£5-8m for Jones, or keeping him as backup. I'd take the latter.
I think you're too dismissive of Blind, he's been excellent CB. To say "just make it 4, because Blind" is to overlook jobs he's done for us. I agree it would be tough just to ship out Jones or Smalling, equally overlooking the jobs they've done. I wouldn't have bought another CB if it were up to me, but some good players will be twiddling their thumbs on the bench I think.
It'll be interesting to see how it pans out.
Blind's a clever player who doesn't get exposed for his lack of pace and height as much as you'd think, but it does cost us at times.
Jose himself says he's big on "specialists" too.
Plus the element that you can't make monumental changes in 1 season.
I can see Blind very much being squad filler next season, with Lindelof - Bailly very much the main choice.
There's even been some sort of talk of Rojo going to left back when he's back. But we'll see
Blind can be exposed but he can also bail us out with brilliant position and timing. I wouldn't be against a Bailly-Lindelof pairing if their form warrants it though.
Not sure about the Rojo to left back part though. God, I'd prefer Mitchell at left back, and I would definitely favor a Bailly-Rojo pairing in the centre, provided Rojo recovers his form and fitness that is.