it's been 2 good games granted but really let's just wait.Is Smalling the best defender in the league?
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it's been 2 good games granted but really let's just wait.I just kicked the coffee table
There's no grey area on here is there? You're either the best, or the worst. One extreme to another.
Smalling has everything needed to become the best, but he's not there yet. Terry is still ahead of him in the system Chelsea currently play. Smalling is the best centre half available to play for England however, far better than the likes of Cahill, Jones and Jagielka.
Since he got sent off brainlessly against City and then brilliantly marshalled Blackett and McNair to victory against Arsenal last November he's been really very good. It's not just the last 2 games, it's 9 months of very good, consistent performances as to why many believe in him.
Since he got sent off brainlessly against City and then brilliantly marshalled Blackett and McNair to victory against Arsenal last November he's been really very good. It's not just the last 2 games, it's 9 months of very good, consistent performances as to why many believe in him.
Pretty much this. He's really stepped up to be our best defender and one of the best in this league.
If we don't consider his ability on the ball? Yes.
This is how I feel. If he stays free of injuries and we play a consistent back four I don't see why he can't become the best in the league. One thing that has impressed me has been the way he has taken on a leadership role since LVG has taken over. Before then he still seemed a bit immature.
Koscielny and Terry are the top dogs, not least because of the consistency they have shown in recent seasons, but Smalling is up there. I think he can look clumsy at times, and his passing range is very limited, but when you consider his footballing education, it's of little surprise. The key for Smalling has been remaining fit, a prolonged period of football has seen the best of him, and I'm of no doubt that the same would benefit Jones. Both are naturally powerful athletes and with the experience as they age, they will both make top defenders.
Nobody likes being called Mike!(No offence to all Mikes here 
Why the feck is not being as good as rio/vida being brought into this? It's as people can't grasp such a basic OP and thread title.
in a word no.....not yet
Nope.
Of course I can't name them you think I keep a journal of these things? I can't name all the specific events where Jones pulled a funny face either it doesn't mean they didn't happen.
To be fair, those are 'could be' statements.
No, plenty on here have named other defenders who are currently as good or better. It's just few who have labelled him definitely the best and other few that have somehow erased last season from their memory and are claiming that the thread is based on 2 games. There is ofcourse a daft few who have brought up him not being as good as rio or vida into the thread but I guess every thread needs it share of idiots.
He's our best defender and I think he'd be viewed more favourably if he played for Chelsea due to not needing to constantly attempt passes he's not capable of. As for best in the PL, that's still Terry IMO even if Chelsea's system helps him over the others IMO.
Btw, I've said this for a long time now but will say it again, I'll be shocked if Jones ends up becoming the better CB. Smalling is much better in my book and will always be unless their growth stories are very different.
De Gea
Smalling
Herrera
Inanimate Scouse Rod
Smalling
Herrera
Inanimate Scouse Rod
The best spine in the league?
In all seriousness, Smalling is very good. Not the best in the league but I feel comfortable seeing him start for England over the next five years. Champions League this season will be a big test of what level he's currently at.
Nope. Needs to perform the way he has in the last two games over a season or two to be considered even close to it. And stay fit for such a sustained period of time.
Smalling has always had the talent to be a very good defender. Hopefully this is the start of him fulfilling it.
Smalling has always had the talent to be a very good defender. Hopefully this is the start of him fulfilling it.
In all fairness he wasn't just average. The game before City was Chelsea and Smalling was immense in that game. I remember he even prevented a 1v1 situation when Rojo carelessly let Willian through on goal. A fire was lit up under his ass after that City game tho
Nope. He's very good as an out and out defender though.
No..lets stop overrating our players..Smalling isnt the best defender in the league, Herrera isnt the best midfielder in the league either..the annoying thing about this is the extremeness that goes both sides..when we lose, our players are the worst in the world, or win a couple of games and get this..Cant they just be very good players without this overhyping?
lol.. calm down OP...
Smalling is in great form but no he isn't the best defender... I would have Terry, Koscielny, Ivanovic, (and if we are going on a 2 game form even Darmian) ahead of him...
However, considering his age, his potential and the fact that he is English, I probably wouldn't swap him for the above long term... But if we are looking long term, you could make the case for Stones to be potentially better...
If I have to pick a defender for this season, I would go with Terry.
Smalling is in great form but no he isn't the best defender... I would have Terry, Koscielny, Ivanovic, (and if we are going on a 2 game form even Darmian) ahead of him...
However, considering his age, his potential and the fact that he is English, I probably wouldn't swap him for the above long term... But if we are looking long term, you could make the case for Stones to be potentially better...
If I have to pick a defender for this season, I would go with Terry.
If you can't think of any then maybe you were exaggerating when you said there was plenty of them?
Agree with this. I like Jones and think he'll be a very good player for us if he can get over his injury issues, but Smalling is just the more natural defender. I don't think there's that much between them though.
Smalling was excellent at the end of last season and looks to have picked up where he left off this year. I'm not sure why people are saying he's rubbish. He's been better than most of the top 4's other CB so far. If we do bring anyone else in, it's to partner him at CB, not to replace him.
I could be remembering wrong but wasn't he also very impressive against Munich under Moyes?
Yeah he was our best defender in Munich. He's never struggled in Europe because he's such a clean and classy defender.
Jeez... 2 games into the season. Most people a month ago wanted Ramos AND Otamendi to be our defensive pairing now he's best in the league...
Is Romero the best goalkeeper in the league?
Are you people serious? It's NOT just the two games on which we're judging him. It's closer to two years than two games.If the two games aren't that important, why didn't we see a similar thread before ?
No.
Because errrrrrr.
No. However he is much improved and with a ball playing partner of equal or better quality, he would be half of a formidable team.
We all knew a top player was in there, it was just an issue of fitness. Not sure where this revisionism is coming from.
We all knew a top player was in there, it was just an issue of fitness. Not sure where this revisionism is coming from.
I'm a huge fan of Smalling. While I don't think he is the best centre back in the league, I think he must be one of the most 'in-form'. Most of last season (when he came into the team, and after that horrorshow away at City) he was really, really good. Physically, he's a monster. Honestly think he is within the top 5 defenders in the league, and if he has a good season...who knows?
I think he will be by the end of this season.
Most wanted just one of them.
He needs to stay fit otherwise he'll never be the defender he could be.
I don't know how he'll manage that if he can't already but there you go.
Jones on the other hand is a lost cause.
I don't know how he'll manage that if he can't already but there you go.
Jones on the other hand is a lost cause.
So you're saying we should all be creating a thread every time we think one of our players is great?
The thread title isn't my cup of tea but I've been a big fan of Smalling for much longer than the past two games. I was sat in the pub last season saying that Smalling could end up held in the same regard as Rio and got laughed at. I've no idea where this 'two game' shite has come from, injuries aside he's looked good for us for a while now.
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