Smalling goes on defence after sack
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling says he has nothing to prove to England manager Gareth Southgate after being dropped by the national team and having his ability publicly questioned.
Smalling was overlooked for England’s recent friendly games against Germany and Brazil, with Southgate picking younger players and saying he wanted his team to move toward a style of “using the ball from the back and building up in a certain way”.
“Was I surprised? Yes, I was,” Smalling said yesterday of his omission, speaking at United’s news conference ahead of their Champions League game against Basel.
“But you don’t play for one of the biggest clubs in the world for as long as I have and probably won the most trophies bar the Champions League without being able to do everything a top defender needs to do, be it playing or defending.”
Smalling, who has played 31 games for England, started the season behind Phil Jones and Eric Bailly, and has played more in the Premier League only in recent weeks because of injuries.
“This year, as a team, we’ve got one of the best defensive records,” Smalling said, “and we have done for the last few years and I’m very proud to be part of that.
“While I’m playing under José (Mourinho) and he’s happy and I’m playing regularly, then I’m happy with that.”