GARETH SOUTHGATE watched Chris Smalling in action for Roma against Inter Milan as he considers handing a shock international recall to the defender.
The England chief is struggling to find a consistent partner for Harry Maguire with John Stones, Tyrone Mings and Michael Keane all tried in recent matches.
Chris Smalling was watched by England manager Gareth Southgate as Roma drew 0-0 with InterCredit: Getty Images – Getty
With the on-loan Manchester United defender excelling in Serie A this season and Euro 2020 looming, Southgate and assistant Steve Holland headed to Italy to get a first-hand look at Smalling.
The U-turn comes two years after Southgate dropped the ex-Fulham man from his squad because of doubts over his ability to play out from the back.
Speaking in November 2017, the Three Lions boss said: “I have huge respect for Chris. He is a player playing at a big club.
“We want to play in a certain way and the players I have brought in I want to see using the ball from the back and building it up in a certain way.”
And Smalling – who was a regular under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford when snubbed in late 2017 – responded defiantly, backing himself and his ability to represent England.
I don’t really feel like I need to prove anything to Gareth. I play for one of the most successful managers in Jose and he’s only going to pick the best players.
Chris Smalling in November 2017
On being dropped, the Roma star said: “Was I surprised? Yes, I was.
“But you don’t play for one of the biggest clubs in the world for as long as I have and won every trophy bar the Champions League without being able to do everything a top defender needs to do – be it playing or defending.
“This year, as a team, we’ve got the best defensive record [in the Premier League] and I’m very proud to be part of that.
“I don’t really feel like I need to prove anything to Gareth. I play for one of the most successful managers in Jose and he’s only going to pick the best players.
“While I’m playing regularly and he’s happy then I think, if my season carries on like this, we have a successful season and our team continues to concede very few goals, it will give him [Southgate] maybe no choice in the summer but to pick me.”
THREE LIONS CAREER
Smalling, 30, made his England debut in September 2011 in a 3-0 win over Bulgaria and then captained his country for the first time against Australia as the Three Lions warmed up for Euro 2016.
He earned the most-recent of his 31 caps against Scotland in June 2017 but his international career appeared to be over with the emergence of younger, ball-playing defenders for England and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s decision to send him out on loan this season.
But he has been a revelation since heading to Roma, scoring twice and keeping six clean sheets in his 14 appearances, playing every minute in the league since September 25.
And last night against Inter – in a game overshadowed by Corriere dello Sport’s ‘Black Friday’ headline – he kept former team-mate Romelu Lukaku quiet to earn a 0-0 draw with the league leaders.
Now Solskjaer confirmed with a simple “yeah” that Smalling will be returning to Old Trafford next season, despite Roma being keen to make the transfer permanent.
The United boss said: “Chris has been fantastic – we know sometimes if you change the environment it can go both ways.
“But Chris is the type to relish these challenges he’s cultured, enjoys life down there, it’s a new experience for him.
“He’s a boy who couldn’t be here without being a regular and we’re so happy for him because we can see the top player he is.”
Smalling and former Manchester United team-mate Romelu Lukaku embraced before kick-offCredit: Reuters
Southgate has a dilemma over who to play at centre-back for the Euros next summerCredit: PA:Press Association
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