Good point as well. Pogba plays deep to get on the ball now, yet people thought Smalling was the reason for that because he is incapable of playing out from the back.
Lindelof has been given a chance and done alright but I'm not sure what people expect from defenders technical ability. As far as I can see only Maguire, Luiz, Van Djik and Laporte are the ones who actively, confidently, and consistently uses their ability on the ball for more than the standard passes that any defender can do. It is not just down to one player to play out from the back but the system. Ability is not as vital as having a functioning role in that team. Some CB's can adapt. Smalling played very well under Van Gaal in a possession based system and made several forward runs and passes, and under Mourinho he had a great season as more of a box-defender clearing crosses, blocking shots. I haven't seen anything like that adaptability from any other of our defenders. He hasn't been fully tried out in the new high-line, aggressive pressing style under Ole, and have never played alongside a entity CB like Maguire. I think it I'll work provided he hasn't regressed after last season. Of course Lindelof will keep playing for now as we'll see this one out I guess but my confidence in him is very low. Very happy if they make it work and that he can be as good as Laporte one day.