Chris Smalling has matured immensely over the past year to become an integral part of Manchester United’s defence.
It has been almost a year since Smalling was sent off in the Manchester derby, but his performances ever since have erased that moment from the memory of Manchester United fans.
Chris Smalling’s rash challenge that saw him sent off that Sunday was branded as “stupid” by his manager, Louis van Gaal, and found himself on the back of all British newspapers for all the wrong reasons. However, if Smalling had not been forced to mature so quickly, Smalling may not have developed into the brutal force he is today. In fact, if Smalling didn’t perform last season, following the red card, I’m more than certain he would’ve been sold last summer.
Over the past 11 months, the England international has emerged into an imposing, strong figure in the United back four, something they’ve been lacking since the likes of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic in their prime. Smalling has gone from a rash, immature, raw talent to a forceful, dependable centre-half. From public enemy one to wearing the captain’s armband on several occasions.
This season, Smalling has established himself as one of the best defenders in the whole Premier League. Showing great performances week in and week out. He has become a mainstay in the United back four, forming a formidable partnership with makeshift centre back Daley Blind. And despite Blind having a few shaky performances, Chris has remained consistent and has always been a reliable asset at the back.
Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson from Fulham in 2010, Smalling has touted as a replacement for ageing centre halfs Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic. The transition didn’t go as smoothly as he would’ve wanted as it took Chris a couple of years to regularly crack the starting eleven. But with the departures of both Vidić and Ferdinand in 2014, United was left worryingly short at the back. In a period of transition after the arrival of a new manager, Louis van Gaal, United struggled to bring in the new faces necessary to strengthen the depleted back line. This left Smalling to compete with Phil Jones and Johnny Evans for the leading role in the Manchester United back four. With Evans ultimately leaving the club this past transfer window, and Jones having continual injury problems, there is no question that Smalling has won the battle. He is the sole centre back who’s position is “safe”- though United boss Van Gaal would never say so.
Although Smalling has had his injury problems in the past, it appears those problems are behind him as he’s featured in the first eleven consistently over the past 12 months. Looking ahead, it would no longer be branded as “daft” or “stupid” if you claimed Chris Smalling has the potential to be a world-class centre-half. If the performances continue, who knows what the future has in store for the 25-year-old, gaining the Manchester United and England captaincy could certainly be a possibility in the coming years.
For England, Smalling has also established himself as a regular in a side looking to compete in the upcoming Euro 2016 tournament. With Chelsea and Everton stars Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka struggling for form, Smalling could find himself as the leader of England’s back four come summer time. If given the chance, this would provide another chance for the United star to further enhance his reputation both on a club and International level.
If England wants to be successful at the Euros, then Smalling needs to be at his absolute best against some of the world’s strongest teams. The United man has proved that he can handle the best forwards in the premier league and will hope that he can match these performances when possibly facing International goal scorers like Robert Lewandowski of Poland.
The revival of Chris Smalling has been amazing to see, even more so being a Manchester United fan. He has improved to become one of the most important players for Manchester United and England over the past year and continues to prove the doubters wrong every match.
