Chris Smalling says he is at his best in central defence – International football
After rising to fame with Manchester United last season in his impressive performances in their title winning English Premier League campaign, Smalling has continued his fine run of from this time around in the domestic scene with
the Red Devils once again but Sir http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Alex-c4752 has used him at the right back position thus far. The former Fulham defender who was playing non-league football just a few years ago is now set to become a regular English international and a consistent starter for Manchester
United. In light of the retirement of http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Gary-Neville-c14447, Smalling has stepped up to the mark and started to impress in his right back role.
He has showcased strength, agility and stamina, three things that are vital for a wing back. His performance against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Arsenal-c38429 in United’s 8-2 win over the Gunners’ helped Capello make up his mind about including the young defender
in England’s EURO 2012 qualification match against http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Bulgaria-c2861. Smalling didn’t disappoint Capello with his solid display thereafter as England won the match by three goals to nil eventually.
Smalling has a large part of the English Premier League season ahead of him and Ferguson has already showcased his willingness to use him at the right back spot in absence of Rafael da Silva who is out for a lengthy period because
of his shoulder injury. However the young full back did start his career in central defence for both Manchester United and Fulham in the English Premier League and he has personally expressed that central defence is his preferred position.
Speaking after England’s dominating 3-0 victory over the Bulgarian national team, Smalling said, "I played a few games at right-back in pre-season, but so did Phil Jones because we had lost players like Wes Brown and John O'Shea.
To play for United and now http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/England-c749 in a position I'm not used to has been difficult. I have never played there before so it's been a steep learning curve, but I'll play wherever I'm needed.”
Manchester United have relied on their young defenders such as http://www.senore.com/Football-soccer/Nemanja-Vidic-c27550 and Smalling is determined to play regularly for the Red Devils. He stated
that he can play at right back but he views it as a temporary position rather than one of permanence. The former Fulham man said, "I want to be challenging Rio [Ferdinand] and [Nemanja] Vidic for their place because that's where I feel I'm at my best. That’s
where I have always played. I hope that in the future I'll get to play there for club and country."
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