There have been many doubts about Chris Smalling and whether he is up to the “Manchester United” standards over the last few years. However, he has now earned the trust of Jose Mourinho and can become one of his most important players.
The early days
Smalling has had to wait patiently to become a first-team regular at Manchester United. Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in January 2010, under him, he averaged just over 16 league appearances a season. The likes of Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Jonny Evans were ahead of him in the queue.
After David Moyes was sacked, a squad overhaul was expected when Louis Van Gaal arrived. Almost every player’s future was put under the spotlight, none more so than Smalling’s.
Academy graduate Tyler Blackett was given opportunities at the start of the season. Alongside new signings Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and the injury-prone Jonny Evans. Smalling’s chances were limited. He didn’t do himself any favours trying to impress the new boss when seeing red for a ludicrous second yellow in the Manchester derby at the Etihad.
When we saw the real ability in (Mike) Smalling
Smalling was subject to a number of rumours regarding his future at the club. Arsenal supposedly offering £10 million. However, he stuck around and in a remarkable turn of events, he was rewarded with a new 4-year contract after positive displays against City, Liverpool and Spurs in the spring of 2015.
That form continued throughout the season as United came 2nd in the golden glove competition. An award De Gea would have shared had it not been for an own goal. You guessed it, by Smalling, in the dying minutes of the last game of the season against Bournemouth (3-1).
However, the two could smile at the end of season awards night. De Gea won the ‘Sir Matt Busby Player Of Year’ award and Smalling, the ‘Players’ Player Of The Year’ award. This was not only indicative of the ex-Fulham man’s form but also showed how his peers were pleased to see how far he’d come and all his hard work pay off in his best season in a Manchester United shirt.
A bad start under Mourinho
Many expected the 2015/16 season to really kick-start Smalling’s career in Manchester as the number one centre back. However, it would be naive to think he could last another season without experiencing further injuries. And to Mourinho’s irritation, indeed he didn’t.
Smalling picked up a foot injury in training and received pain-killing injections to play in the 4-0 loss to Chelsea on the 23rd October. The situation was unclear. More so when Mourinho publicly blasted the England international, questioning his bravery, “he doesn’t feel that he can play 100 percent without pain”. It was revealed days later Smalling had actually suffered a broken foot, he went on to miss 12 games.
Despite rumours surfacing that he could follow in the footsteps of Jonny Evans and join West Brom, a cruciate ligament knee injury to Marcos Rojo in April extended Smalling’s stay at the Theatre Of Dreams.
A chance arrived, a chance taken
Smalling was given a lifeline and he has taken it. Unlike any of central defender at the club, he has unique attributes which give him a massive edge.
Smalling‘s eight starts this season have come in the last 8 games, emphasising his form. Three of those starts have been against top five opposition in Liverpool, Tottenham and Chelsea. In these chess-like matches, he was the middleman in a back 3, the true defender. Also playing in: the Europa League final last season against the 6’1″ Kasper Dolberg, the Super Cup final against the 6’1” Karim Benzema, being brought on for the final 15 minutes to deal with the 6’1” Manolo Gabbiadini and the 6’2” Charlie Austin at St. Mary’s, and most recently battling against Watford heavyweight Troy Deeney.”
The number of appearances Smalling has made this season may not be as many as he would’ve liked. However, the calibre of the match is certainly something he can be pleased with. At 6’4″ the tallest United centre-half, he gives Mourinho something he likes and what no other defender has. Jose now can not afford to sell him.
Mourinho’s teams over the decades have featured a powerful spine of formidable height and strength. The Englishman will not be able to give you crisp cutting passes through the lines. He does give you dominance in the air and strength in one-on-one battles.
Since the Portuguese’s public criticism of the center back in November of last year, the centre-back has knuckled down to adapt his game. It is well documented about his discomfort on the ball, so much that Gareth Southgate omitted him from the latest England squad. However, Mourinho and Smalling have worked out a way to minimize mistakes and maximize his strengths.
Analysis: How Mourinho and Smalling have worked together to cut out mistakes
Notice when Smalling’s deep and in possession, he rarely opts to pass through the lines or forwards. Compliantly passing sideways and giving the ball to either the full-back or his centre-back partner. Subsequently, he has the 2nd most accurate short passes per game behind new signing Victor Lindelof.
However, in the centre of a back 3 and up against top strikers in the big games, Smalling can utilize his physical prowess and love for pure defending. Proven by the statistics. He beats all United centre-backs in average headed clearances, aerial battles, blocked shots and clearances won in the Premier League. This, Mourinho will lap up.
Smalling has revitalised his United career under, becoming a useful tool for Jose to use
Clearly, Smalling has regained Mourinho’s trust. Praise for individuals comes little and not very often from Mourinho. Swansea post-match however, Mourinho made an exception stating Smalling gives him, “big stability”.
More recently, Mourinho claimed he hopes Smalling doesn’t secure a seat on England’s plane to Russia. He wants him sharp in pre-season ahead of the 2018/19 campaign. This is a big indication that Mourinho needs Smalling along with his physical power and attributes at his disposal.
"“I hope he (Smalling) doesn’t get his spot because somebody comes injured, he comes injured, Jones comes injured and real injuries. Smalling is playing all the time and well and tomorrow plays again, we don’t have Jones, we don’t have Eric Bailly again, so Smalling has to play every match and well, that we can say.”"
The games against the top 5 Mourinho treats with ultimate caution, he wouldn’t play someone who doesn’t warrant that trust. It is imperative for Jose to have players who can concentrate and deliver under severe pressure throughout those matches. Smalling has now proven he can and is an out-and-out defender, who loves the battle.
The key for Smalling is staying fit. When his fitness is below par, he makes mistakes. As do most players when not fit, their game suffers as a result. However, unlike most players, Smalling doesn’t stay fit for very long. Missing a total of 256 days and 50 games through injury at Manchester United so far.
Next: Anthony Martial, ready to ‘tear it up’!
For that reason, there will always be a question mark over his future at the club. Like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off, it feels that eventually, Smalling will leave Old Trafford. However, before he does, how high he can climb in United’s defensive ranks? Can he fulfil the promises and assert himself as a key figure and leader under Mourinho? We will have to hope and see.