No?
Wenger wanted him in exchange for Vermaelen and the vast majority of the people thought it was mental.
Is Smalling the best defender in the league?
- Thread starter Andy_Cole
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Wenger wanted him in exchange for Vermaelen and the vast majority of the people thought it was mental.
Indeed. Its revisionist bullshit to think anyone outside of a few mentalists wanted Smalling to be sold to Arsenal.
Tbh, I thought even at that time that it was so unlike him to lunge into that second challenge. That is the sort of challenge I can expect Jones to make but not Smalling.
However, I was not mad nor did I doubt his ability. That challenge always looked like a one-off and sort of a rush of blood thing which is not associated with him.
Back to the OP's question. I certainly think he is the best CB in the league and top 10 in the world currently. He has come on leaps and bounds over the last year or so and I see him as our future captain. As a bonus, he also seems to have goals in him.
In 2015, he's been the best defender in the league no question.
ok that was it. I forget story back then.
Don't know or care, but he is brilliant and he is United through and through.
Has been since 03/11/2014.
I thought this was a crazily premature thread when it started but, at this stage in the season, I'd say only Ashley Williams, Kompany and Winston Reid have come close to him. He ended last season well but he's gone up a notch since he became Mike. He's quick, strong, good in the air and reads the game well. And he's not brilliant on the ball but has still shown a willingness to bring the ball out from the back. And Blind has complemented him brilliantly.
Our stand out player right now.
Our stand out player right now.
Yep. A lot of Arsenal fans were horrified at the notion, but then fans underrating the non-fashionable members of rival squads is hardly new. The vast majority on here thought it would be a bad deal for us.
No one expected Vidic or Terry to be excellent on the ball so why is this always an issue when the overall ability of Smalling is discussed? He is our most important player and his close control and passing have improved a lot. It is not an issue any longer.
People thought it was an issue because Vidic and Terry played in teams that sat deep and were asked to defend and only defend. They both would have never worked out at a team like Barcelona for example. Having said that, I think Smalling is more than good enough on the ball, he is perfect for us at the moment.
Jesus Christ, "best defender"... after ten good matches. Get a grip.
Yeah, thats it, just 10. Jesus.
It's been about 30-40 matches now, considering he's been in this form since the turn of 2015.
It's good that you've jumped the United bandwagon this season, great timing as we're on the way up
As you've missed the last few seasons, you'll have to take our word it's not just 10 matches.What's that, the city game?
Are you serious? 
In the world
In the world It's good that you've jumped the United bandwagon this season, great timing as we're on the way up
I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
.Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
Care to name anyone better?
Aye, based on form this season I can't see anyone who's been better.
I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
You'd be hard pressed to name a better defender in England at the moment, let alone 9 better defenders elsewhere.
I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
Redknapp never said Martial was up there with Messi though?
Smalling's been insane. You're probably going to tell us how amazing Kompany is too.I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
No, what would be comical is suggesting Smalling has been anything other than one of the top 2 in his position in the Prem over the last 11 months.And well he didn't say that, did he? He said he was the most talented teen he'd seen since Messi not that he's "up there with Messi".
Not just this season, but over the past 12 months. The only ones I'd say who could compare would be Koshielny, Terry (last season) and Otamendi. The latter though was in La Liga, and so far hasn't looked great in the PL. While Terry has been a train reck this season.
Day aftter. Was only joking with it anyway.
Alright then because he was very good even before that. That 1 game made too many here forget everything before that.
Very good last season, and he's taken it up another notch again this season. Apart from Kompany, it's difficult to see anyone you could reasonably argue is better than Smalling at this point.
Gives me hope for Jones as well, given that he's two years younger than Smalling. If only he can shake off his biggest fitness issues, like it seems Smalling's done now (knock on wood), I think he can kick on just like Smalling's done.
Gives me hope for Jones as well, given that he's two years younger than Smalling. If only he can shake off his biggest fitness issues, like it seems Smalling's done now (knock on wood), I think he can kick on just like Smalling's done.
Last season he grew a lot under LVG, this season he's stepped up a gear, one of the first names on the team sheet for me.
after the red card last year he has been very very good
I've been a member here for six years longer than you mate
Right, he is playing well. He is clearly going to improve, but suggesting he is "the best defender in the league" is as comical as Redknapp saying Martial is up there with Messi.
Wait, see, enjoy his football. Stop being like the English media.
You must watch United games with your eyes closed.
He's the best CB in the league in my opinion, but anybody with a pair of eyes can see he's clearly right up there with anyone in the league and even a lot of neutrals are starting to agree.
Should change league to univers
Who would you have over him? Might be a bit premature... but he's got to be in the top 10 in the world based on the last year.
His transformation as a center back reminds me of Vidic, came out of nowhere when nobody was expecting it and started dominating the opposition. Think their primes are of a similar age if not Smalling being a bit younger.
Interestingly, when he first joined Fergie gave him quite a few games partnering Vidic and they looked an absolute solid partnership when Rio was injured.
If England partner him with Stones it could be Rio/Terry-esque.
Interestingly, when he first joined Fergie gave him quite a few games partnering Vidic and they looked an absolute solid partnership when Rio was injured.
If England partner him with Stones it could be Rio/Terry-esque.
U-turn incoming.
Ran out of the thread yesterday when you couldn't answer people's questions and now come back when the team is doing shit. What's wrong with you?What on earth has he done wrong today?
I wouldn't blame Smalling, they're going through our midfield like a knife through butter. No defending from the front at all.
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