[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Full Name: Christopher Lloyd Smalling
Date of Birth: Nov 22, 1989 (30)
Nationality: England

Height: 194cm
Position: Defender - Centre-Back
Foot: Right
Player Agent: Omni-Sports
Squad Number: #12
Joined: Jul 1, 2010
Contract until: 30.06.2022
Contract option: Option for a further year
Date of last contract extension: Dec 15, 2018​

 

[Isotope]

He's not Baresi for sure.

 

[HowYouDoin]

Welcome back private Mike good to have you back!!!!

 

[RedPed]

Welcome back private Mike good to have you back!!!!

He ain't staying.

 

[yan man utd]

Yeah - we have Jones, Rojo, Tuanzebe and Bailly (if and when they are fit) lindelof who is well the less said the better and Maguire who is in jail. So , sounds sensible to lose Smalling, our only fit and capable CB ASAP right?!

 

[HowYouDoin]

Apparently 4 teams are willing to sign him for 20 mil but personally I wouldnt do it. We wont find a better CB for 20 million. Personally I think I would just start him alongside Maguire.

 

[Shimo]

So much for Southgate reconsidering based on performances. Mings and Keane ahead of him, based on last season? Unfortunately for us I think what's going to happen is Ole is going to just as obstinate in not at least giving him a chance to stake a claim, even if he might be a better option that what we currently have.

 

[tjb]

A part of me really wants to see him at the club as the secondary centre back. He's clearly better defensively than Lindelof and Bailly. Having someone who can carry the ball and hold onto it like Macguire may allow him to focus on being a class defender. Selling Bailly would be a better move imo.

 

[Sandikan]

Only worth selling him, if we actually need this 20m to buy someone imminently.
If we then boot 25-30m into a lesser player, another Bailly or Lindelof, it's just a baffling state of affairs.

 

[Mercurial]

So much for Southgate reconsidering based on performances. Mings and Keane ahead of him, based on last season? Unfortunately for us I think what's going to happen is Ole is going to just as obstinate in not at least giving him a chance to stake a claim, even if he might be a better option that what we currently have.

A part of me really wants to see him at the club as the secondary centre back. He's clearly better defensively than Lindelof and Bailly. Having someone who can carry the ball and hold onto it like Macguire may allow him to focus on being a class defender. Selling Bailly would be a better move imo.

Any theories why Ole doesn't rate him? The other backups look inferior or injury prone. Also club didn't accept 15m€ but wanted 20m€ its all a bit odd. Surely he must be the better bench option than all the rest?

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Surely we can all agree on “only sell him if we can sign a first choice CB”

Otherwise I see no point in selling him

Maguire, Lindelof and Smalling are the only CBS here that you can rely on being fit for 80% of the season or more

 

[Ekeke]

Smalling is on a deal where he makes less money than our sub goalkeeper. Mind you I'm not sure Roma could offer more wages

So much for Southgate reconsidering based on performances. Mings and Keane ahead of him, based on last season? Unfortunately for us I think what's going to happen is Ole is going to just as obstinate in not at least giving him a chance to stake a claim, even if he might be a better option that what we currently have.

Pretty sure that would be admitting he was wrong and go against the phantom "Look Southgate sorted out the England defence and now we play beautiful football from the back" storyline

 

[JPB]

Really hope he stays. It was one of Ole's biggest mistakes sending him on loan.

 

[arthurka]

Really hope he stays. It was one of Ole's biggest mistakes sending him on loan.

No it wasn't he was getting hammered left right and center by everyone before his loan spell at Roma. He now at least has gotten some recognition.

 

[JPB]

No it wasn't he was getting hammered left right and center by everyone before his loan spell at Roma. He now at least has gotten some recognition.

Yes it was. That's because half the people don't even watch the matches and just lump him in together with Jones. He's the best defender at the club. He's been my favourite since Rio and Vida retired. He's a brilliant centre back. It really pissed me off when Ole sent him on loan to Roma because I knew he would do well there. And we had to put up with fecking Lindelof who can't even jump higher than my little sister when trying to clear a ball in the air. It should have been Smalling Maguire from the beginning.

 

[arthurka]

Yes it was. That's because half the people don't even watch the matches and just lump him in together with Jones. He's the best defender at the club. He's been my favourite since Rio and Vida retired. He's a brilliant centre back. It really pissed me off when Ole sent him on loan to Roma because I knew he would do well there. And we had to put up with fecking Lindelof who can't even jump higher than my little sister when trying to clear a ball in the air. It should have been Smalling Maguire from the beginning.

Don't have to argue with me about Smalling I think he is still the best defender we have on our books. But that said the environment towards him both at Utd and generally in England had become toxic. Ole gave him a platform to showcase his ability. I don't think we will sell him, Rojo and Jones will go and he, Alex, Harry and Victor will be here.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

Any theories why Ole doesn't rate him? The other backups look inferior or injury prone. Also club didn't accept 15m€ but wanted 20m€ its all a bit odd. Surely he must be the better bench option than all the rest?

Ole probably feels the same as Southgate. Smalling is a very good defender but in the modern game you need defenders that are comfortable on the ball.

 

[Isotope]

Yes it was. That's because half the people don't even watch the matches and just lump him in together with Jones. He's the best defender at the club. He's been my favourite since Rio and Vida retired. He's a brilliant centre back. It really pissed me off when Ole sent him on loan to Roma because I knew he would do well there. And we had to put up with fecking Lindelof who can't even jump higher than my little sister when trying to clear a ball in the air. It should have been Smalling Maguire from the beginning.

Why are you still a newbie? It's rare to see fellow Cafties who understand the art of defending.

 

[jackal&hyde]

Any theories why Ole doesn't rate him? The other backups look inferior or injury prone. Also club didn't accept 15m€ but wanted 20m€ its all a bit odd. Surely he must be the better bench option than all the rest?

He is not very good and very poor at ball playing.

 

[flappyjay]

Ole probably feels the same as Southgate. Smalling is a very good defender but in the modern game you need defenders that are comfortable on the ball.

You also need defenders who can stay fit. We have been lucky that Maguire and Lindelof stayed fit. But the fact that Maguire had to play so many games even against league 2 cannon fodder does not seat right with me.

 

[jackal&hyde]

You also need defenders who can stay fit. We have been lucky that Maguire and Lindelof stayed fit. But the fact that Maguire had to play so many games even against league 2 cannon fodder does not seat right with me.

I agree but what if next season Bailly and Tuanzebe stay fit? Smalling does not want to be 4th choice, he wants to be a regular for his international ambitions. The irony is that had he stayed, he would have played plenty this season.

 

[EwanI Ted]

Seems likely to be sold. Unlike most of our other backup CBs, he's actually worth something. Ultimately though he’s poor on that ball and makes playing through a press impossible. Putting him in the team would mean changing our playing style. He would have to be a world class defender to justify doing that, but he’s not, he’s just ok. if he can go to Roma and be happy there, great.

 

[Isotope]

Seems likely to be sold. Unlike most of our other backup CBs, he's actually worth something. Ultimately though he’s poor on that ball and makes playing through a press impossible. Putting him in the team would mean changing our playing style. He would have to be a world class defender to justify doing that, but he’s not, he’s just ok. if he can go to Roma and be happy there, great.

Having one CB who can only do simple pass, in place of a CB who has average passing skill, won't change the team playing style. That's just absurd claim.
He thrived on LVG style of keeping possession of all cost. He even was POTY at that time. Instead of imagining things that could happen, there's a record to prove otherwise. What do you think of that?

 

[EwanI Ted]

Having one CB who can only do simple pass, in place of a CB who has average passing skill, won't change the team playing style. That's just absurd claim.
He thrived on LVG style of keeping possession of all cost. He even was POTY at that time. Instead of imagining things that could happen, there's a record to prove otherwise. What do you think of that?

Tactics in football have changed since LVGs day. Pep and Klopps then new idea of pressing hard from the front is now commonplace in both Europe and the Prem. Even mid table teams do it. Back then teams would let you have the ball and play low block to counter possession based tactics. Under LVG our defenders would have all the time in the world to make dozens of sideways passes to each other near the halfway line. Nowadays teams press you from the front and defenders have to be able to do one-twos and other sharp passes with a guy right on their back from inside their own box in order to play their way out. Back then there was no such concept as being press-resistant. Now it’s a key feature for any defender for deep midfielder. You can't compare that era to this one.

 

[Isotope]

Tactics in football have changed since LVGs day. Pep and Klopps then new idea of pressing hard from the front is now commonplace in both Europe and the Prem. Even mid table teams do it. Back then teams would let you have the ball and play low block to counter possession based tactics. Under LVG our defenders would have all the time in the world to make dozens of sideways passes to each other near the halfway line. Nowadays teams press you from the front and defenders have to be able to do one-twos and other sharp passes with a guy right on their back from inside their own box in order to play their way out. Back then there was no such concept as being press-resistant. Now it’s a key feature for any defender for deep midfielder. You can't compare that era to this one.

Teams start pressing our defenders because they know how we play. And they know their pressing works. Why would they do that if our CBs are pressing resistance? Are they just plain stupid?

Now you see every so often, our DM has to drop deep collecting ball anyway, and our CB just either passing sideways to FB, or hoove it long. Like I said, Smalling replacing any CB that partner Maguire won't change our style. Because other than Maguire, others are just average ball skill CBs.

 

[EwanI Ted]

Teams start pressing our defenders because they know how we play. And they know their pressing works. Why would they do that if our CBs are pressing resistance? Are they just plain stupid?

Now you see every so often, our DM has to drop deep collecting ball anyway, and our CB just either passing sideways to FB, or hoove it long. Like I said, Smalling replacing any CB that partner Maguire won't change our style. Because other than Maguire, others are just average ball skill CBs.

if you’re trying to argue that Lindelöf and Smalling are similar on the ball, I suspect we’re not going to agree on much.

 

[Dike_Manc]

There's absolutely no doubt in mind that if Smalling gets the chance we will eventually give him another contract or if he goes elsewhere he will shine.
Except for Maguire everyone else is either not good enough, injury prone or both. How does this not make sense?

 

[Isotope]

if you’re trying to argue that Lindelöf and Smalling are similar on the ball, I suspect we’re not going to agree on much.

Wth, man? where did I say that? I guess I didn't make it clear to you. I said that Smalling being a bad passer (only doing simple pass), won't change our playing style. Just because the CBs he's replacing, other than Maguire, have average ball skill. The downgrade of passing skill between him and the rest, isn't significant to change our last season playing style. I've explained why.

But then, you read what you want to read.

 

[flappyjay]

I agree but what if next season Bailly and Tuanzebe stay fit? Smalling does not want to be 4th choice, he wants to be a regular for his international ambitions. The irony is that had he stayed, he would have played plenty this season.

Thats a huge "what if" though because neither of those 2 has had a season where they didn't miss a significant amount of matches.

 

[EwanI Ted]

Wth, man? where did I say that? I guess I didn't make it clear to you. I said that Smalling being a bad passer (only doing simple pass), won't change our playing style. Just because the CBs he's replacing, other than Maguire, have average ball skill. The downgrade of passing skill between him and the rest, isn't significant to change our last season playing style. I've explained why.

But then, you read what you want to read.

My error. When you said “Because other than Maguire, others are just average ball skill CBs.” I read that as all the others including Smalling.

That said, I don’t see how you can acknowledge the point that people will press us if our defenders can’t pass while also continuing to argue for Smalling. Yes sometimes a simple pass is on, but other times it isn’t. Defenders have to manage in both scenarios.

 

[CG1010]

Having one CB who can only do simple pass, in place of a CB who has average passing skill, won't change the team playing style. That's just absurd claim.
He thrived on LVG style of keeping possession of all cost. He even was POTY at that time. Instead of imagining things that could happen, there's a record to prove otherwise. What do you think of that?

Yes he thrived in LVG's team but the team didn't thrive and there was just endless passing from CBs to each other. We were just never link upto higher on the pitch. I think you need to revisit the threads at that time.

 

[jackal&hyde]

Thats a huge "what if" though because neither of those 2 has had a season where they didn't miss a significant amount of matches.

I agree, it's a weird situation. Imagine Smalling staying and that is the season where those two stay fit and Smalling barely plays, it would be unfair to Smalling. I don't rate him above Lindelof and Bailly as an all round player but i do like him and respect him as a professional and i do want the best for him. It's another year where he needs to play every game to have a chance for the EUROS so the best thing for him is to move on.

 

[A-man]

If Smalling stays, in my mind it would be him competing with Maguire for one spot, while Bailly, Tuanzebe and Lindelof compete for the other. If Maguire gets injured we don’t really have a good replacement, then I would prefer Smalling over our other CBs. In other scenarios I prefer Maguire, Lindelof and Bailly.

Teams start pressing our defenders because they know how we play. And they know their pressing works. Why would they do that if our CBs are pressing resistance? Are they just plain stupid?

We’ve played through press many times and also many teams quit the press when they realised it was hard work for nothing. The occasions the press has hurt us havent so much been the CBs but more DDG to Pogba, or Williams.
Anyway, if you think we are bad at handling press, that would hardly be improved with Smalling.

He is the perfect bench player to throw in at the end when we are under intense attack and also if we are chasing goals we could send him up for setpieces. And also the only I would trust to replace Maguire if injured or needing rest. But I don’t see that Ole would play him regularly as starter, especially not since he finally got some great football and results out of the last half of the season.If Smalling didn’t want to stay last season because the competition was too much, I don’t think he wants to stay now when he is one year older and Bailly also is fit.

 

[Isotope]

Yes he thrived in LVG's team but the team didn't thrive and there was just endless passing from CBs to each other. We were just never link upto higher on the pitch. I think you need to revisit the threads at that time.

So is it our playing style to link up from CBs to higher up on the pitch? Why did I see so often our DM dropping so deep, in line with CBs this season?

 

[CG1010]

So is it our playing style to link up from CBs to higher up on the pitch? Why did I see so often our DM dropping so deep, in line with CBs this season?

Firstly, we want our CBs to be able to pass to midfielders through opposition players. I remember Smalling would only be confident in passing to either the fellow CB, goalkeeper, or full backs (if they were sufficiently close to him). Opposition players would simply leave him alone and mark others.. leading to our famous back pass routine.

Secondly, both Maguire and Lindelof often go on runs when space is available to create overloads in the midfield. Smalling won't be able to do that.

Thirdly, our team already struggles a bit against pressing teams.. the solution is to upgrade players with capability on the ball. Going back to Smalling won't solve our problem.

He could be a good back up though, if he was ok with that role.

 

[Ekeke]

Ole probably feels the same as Southgate. Smalling is a very good defender but in the modern game you need defenders that are comfortable on the ball.

Then why wouldnt we sell him for a small amount knowing that "in the modern game you need defenders that are comfortable on the ball"? We're hoping someone pays a large price for a 30 year old and traps themselves into not having that?

 

[Ekeke]

Firstly, we want our CBs to be able to pass to midfielders through opposition players. I remember Smalling would only be confident in passing to either the fellow CB, goalkeeper, or full backs (if they were sufficiently close to him). Opposition players would simply leave him alone and mark others.. leading to our famous back pass routine.

Secondly, both Maguire and Lindelof often go on runs when space is available to create overloads in the midfield. Smalling won't be able to do that.

Thirdly, our team already struggles a bit against pressing teams.. the solution is to upgrade players with capability on the ball. Going back to Smalling won't solve our problem.

He could be a good back up though, if he was ok with that role.

Our defenders still pass the ball to each other. Every 2 games theres a nice pass up the middle from Maguire, and every 5 games theres a nice pass up the middle from Lindelof. They rarely lead to anything though because obviously theres so much to do from that point, its almost as if taking the chance of losing the ball in a weakened defensive position isnt actually worth it. So many goals were scored last season because teams were trying to be too cute in their own defense leading to pressing players receiving the ball in attack.

 

[A-man]

Firstly, we want our CBs to be able to pass to midfielders through opposition players. I remember Smalling would only be confident in passing to either the fellow CB, goalkeeper, or full backs (if they were sufficiently close to him). Opposition players would simply leave him alone and mark others.. leading to our famous back pass routine.

Secondly, both Maguire and Lindelof often go on runs when space is available to create overloads in the midfield. Smalling won't be able to do that.

Thirdly, our team already struggles a bit against pressing teams.. the solution is to upgrade players with capability on the ball. Going back to Smalling won't solve our problem.

He could be a good back up though, if he was ok with that role.

Agree.
Our defenders pass sideways and struggle to play through strong press sometimes, absolutely. Intense press is the way many teams play now. We have seen in the last month how some of the best teams in the world have been pressed to costly mistakes.


Our CBs and Shaw are good with the ball and comfortable with the ball even under pressure. If they sometimes struggle the solution is to improve, not to replace them with someone worse.

The midfielders drop deep sometimes. In many occasions it is not necessary and it would be better if they made themselves available for a pass higher up. Then Matić has dropped sometimes into something resembling of a temporary 3 at the back formation and that has been rather successful. It that’s not to do the transportation of the ball.

People sometimes believe that a CB who is good with ball is someone who makes accurate and precise longballs. Of course it can be that. But more important is to handle the press and just play through it. Then our midfielder will have an advantage and our speedy attackers will punish teams who try to put pressure on us.
This is an example of important it is to play through the press. In this case it is not the most intense press but still a good example. Passing around sideways, until there is an opening, then the short pass through. Watch from about 3:40



Also watch 0:50 how costly it can be if we don’t handle press.

 

[JPB]

Smalling is better on the ball than Lindelof. How about that? It's true. People just keep repeating what they read on the internet and never really watch the games themselves I feel. "Smalling isn't good on the ball" has been repeated so many times that people think it's a fact. I've seen Smalling make defence splitting passes and seen him play his best season when we were playing a possession based style. Lindelof plays sideways passes all the time. Nothing really special. He's avarage on the ball, decent at tackling and absolutely horrendous in the air.

To all the people who don't watch the games and just parrot what they read on Redcafe, I suggest you go back in time and read a couple of threads of Smallings performances during his POTY season and then come back, since that's how you judge players. People were rightly saying he's the best centre back in the league. But in the future I suggest you watch the games for yourselves and make up your own minds.

 

[CG1010]

Our defenders still pass the ball to each other. Every 2 games theres a nice pass up the middle from Maguire, and every 5 games theres a nice pass up the middle from Lindelof. They rarely lead to anything though because obviously theres so much to do from that point, its almost as if taking the chance of losing the ball in a weakened defensive position isnt actually worth it. So many goals were scored last season because teams were trying to be too cute in their own defense leading to pressing players receiving the ball in attack.

We certainly far from perfect. We are not talking about CBs raking up assists but being able to progress the ball from defence to the midfield in most circumstances. Agree that sometimes you need long balls and not try to be too cute, which we are also too guilty of, without even having the ability to do so. We certainly need to strive for the ball playing ability of atleast Vidic and Rio (as a combo). Without that how can we develop into a world class team? Smalling is certainly not the answer there for us.