SMALLDINI BACK IN THE BIG TIME
Smalling left United being cruelly mocked but now he’s a champion of Europe and back to his commanding best
TOWARDS the end of his time at Manchester United, Chris Smalling unwittingly became a figure of fun.
Former United boss Louis van Gaal famously referred to him as ‘Mike Smalling,’ a slip of the tongue which led to an unwanted nickname the defender was unable to shake off. Fast forward seven years and it is Smalling, now excelling in Italy with Serie A side Roma, who has had the last laugh.
While United’s trophy drought stretched to five years on the back of their worst-ever Premier League campaign, Smalling is a European champion with Roma.
The 32-year-old was man of the match in Roma’s Europa Conference Final win over Feyenoord in Albania on Wednesday, which secured entry to next season’s Europa League for Jose Mourinho’s side.
There the former United boss (right) and his defender may end up facing their old club, with Smalling having proved there is life after Old Trafford. Smalling produced some vital blocks against Dutch side Feyenoord and was a commanding presence throughout the game as Roma, with former Chelsea striker Tammy Abraham playing a big part, triumphed 1-0 in Tirana.
The defender’s formidable display at the back saw him dubbed ‘Smalldini’ on social media, a hugely favourable comparison with legendary defender Paolo Maldini, who won 126 Italian caps.
After such a heroic performance in Albania, many United fans will legitimately wonder why Smalling, sold to Roma for £13million in October 2020, was offloaded so swiftly when Old Trafford successors, like £80m Harry Maguire, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof, have been so unconvincing in a red shirt.
It says everything about Smalling’s rebirth in the Italian capital that the centre-back, who won two Premier League titles, an FA Cup and a League Cup at United, rates the Europa triumph alongside those English successes. “This is the most passionate and intense trophy win for me,” said Smalling. “The most important trophy is always the last one and I haven’t won one for a few years.
“Last season was really frustrating for me because I fought so hard to get here permanently and then a week later had a knee injury that I just couldn’t shake off. “Luckily, this season I’ve been able to contribute and that’s all I want to do, I want to help this club and contribute to the fans because we have a great city that just wants to win.”
Smalling, who earned 31 caps, last played for England in 2017. That was under Gareth Southgate, who has since overlooked him. Asked if he felt he could force his way back into Southgate’s squad for the World Cup, Smalling said he would love to represent his country again but does not expect a recall.
“I would never close the door on something like that,” said Smalling, whose last cap was against Scotland. “I’m not in Gareth’s plans but I would never close the door on such an opportunity.”
With one year left on his current deal with Roma, Smalling said he is willing to stay beyond then if boss Mourinho wants him to commit longer term.
“I still have a contract,” said Smalling. “Providing Jose still wants me, I’ll be right here.”