AS Roma are interested in making on-loan Manchester United defender Chris Smalling’s deal in the Italian capital permanent, according to reports in The Daily Mail; with the Red Devils set to demand a £12.8 million fee.
Smalling, 30, has transformed the level of his displays since joining the Serie A outfit at the beginning of this season. He was immediately instated into the first team and has started all 11 of their matches, including the 3-0 victory over Brescia last weekend, where he scored and assisted the two other goals.
The History and Statistics
After impressing for Maidstone United in the 2007/08 season, having been dropped from Millwall’s youth ranks, Smalling was plucked from the Isthmian League by Roy Hodgson to join Fulham FC.
The season after he made his professional debut for the Cottagers, he was part of their squad which made it to the 2010 Europa League Final, ultimately losing 2-1 to Athletico Madrid. Though during the January of that season, he signed a pre-contract agreement to join Manchester United on a free transfer.
His competitive debut was made in the 2010 FA Community Shield victory, earning him the first trophy of his career.
Injuries to Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in the 2011/12 campaign gave Smalling an extended run in the first team and since then he has made at least 20 Premier League appearances in all but two of the last seven seasons with Manchester United, in total playing 323 times. During almost a decade with the Red Devils, he has won the Premier League twice, an FA Cup, the League Cup, the UEFA Europa League and two Community Shields.
In November of 2010, Smalling was called up to the senior England squad for the first time but was an unused substitute. However, in September of 2011, the defender made his debut for the Three Lions in a UEFA Euro 2012 qualifier against Bulgaria, though he missed out on the tournament squad.
However, he was selected for England’s disastrous 2014 World Cup squad, when they exited at the group stage of the tournament. Smalling was also included in Hodgson’s UEFA Euro 2016 squad and made his last appearance for England in 2017 having fallen out of favour with current manager Gareth Southgate.
The Prospects
It is quite early to assess whether Smalling will be a success just 11 games into his spell in Rome. Though his agent may be trying to negotiate a deal before Manchester United decide to increase his £12.8 million price tag as reported by The Daily Mail.
Due to Roma previously being linked with signing Dejan Lovren on loan, they presumably are not willing to part with a large sum of cash to improve their defence. His parent club has made it quite obvious they are planning a clear out, so this move may suit both parties.
During his time at Old Trafford Smalling has proved to be a resourceful centre back who can also cover on the right side of defence when required. There have been few questions over his defensive capabilities, though when dropped from the England side, Southgate stated that he thought John Stones was a better ball-playing centre back.
Thus far the England international appears to be enjoying his time away from the Premier League, and he has even added goal scoring exploits to his game which were not seen before with any regularity.
As competition for places in Manchester United’s defence is so stiff, and Solskjaer has put his faith in Maguire, even handing him the captain’s armband, becoming a regular in Rome could well prolong Smalling’s career and see him reintroduced to the England squad.
