Chris Smalling has said that Daley Blind has been of the Premier League’s best centre backs this year and that he is proving his critics wrong, per the Guardian.
Blind signed for the Reds in August 2014 when it appeared that the Dutchman was more accomplished playing as a left back or defensive midfielder.
When Louis van Gaal deployed the former Ajax man in central defence at the beginning of the season, the move was therefore met with understandable scepticism. However, Smalling has now said his defensive partner deserves more recognition for his contribution this season, and that he fully trusts the Dutchman:
He deserves more plaudits and I think he will get them if he carries on playing the way he is playing. Everyone is standing up and taking note that Daley is one of the mainstays of this team and he is keeping us ticking. It is a good partnership. We know we can rely on each other. When there is a situation you don’t have to over cover because you don’t trust your partner. We trust each other fully and we bring out the best in each other as the games have gone on and the more games we have played together.
Smalling noted that Blind is naturally midfielder but had initially been shifted into defence due to his passing abilities and because he was left-footed, but said those qualities are aiding the team well:
It is great knowing he is naturally a midfielder so he has that passing range and ability down to a tee and defensively he is very sound as well. He brings a lot to our defensive line in being able to play the ball out and cut through teams.
However, Blind’s strengths do not all centre around his qualities on the ball. The Netherlands international was voted as man of the match by United fans for his dominant display against Everton forward Romelu Lukaku on Sunday.
Twitter: Some clips of Blind’s passing and composure on the ball from the 1st half only. Fantastic outlet from the back. https://t.co/bMnEbdAO1N (@FutbolFinn)
Lukaku is the kind of physical striker which some had suggested Blind would struggle to deal with this season, but Smalling was quick to point out his teammate’s intelligence off the ball:
He has got a lot more to his game than any of us really thought. In one-on-one duels for instance, as you saw against Everton, Lukaku didn’t get any change from him. Daley is not the biggest or strongest but he is very clever and smart and big strikers or fast strikers don’t get any change from him. When someone like Lukaku gets you in the position where he’s holding you off it is key to try and nick it in front of him. He can pin you in the box but he didn’t get anything out of Daley.
With injuries to the club’s more natural defenders, Smalling says he still enjoys playing alongside the Dutchman:
Ever since he joined the club he has rarely been injured. He has been able to bang out the games and have a very high consistency. He is a joy to play alongside.
Blind has made 45 appearances for the Reds in all competitions this season, scoring two goals and providing two assists in that time.
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