CHRIS SMALLING CAN foresee a long-term future for himself in Serie A if his loan at Roma from Manchester United goes to plan.
The 29-year-old defender swapped Old Trafford for Stadio Olimpico in search of playing time after falling out of the first-team picture at United.
Harry Maguire’s arrival sent centre-back Smalling further down the pecking order and his hopes of returning to favour appear limited for as long as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer remains in charge.
Roma offered a way out and the 31-cap England international jumped to seize what could become more than a temporary lifeline.
“I think this is an opportunity that came to me that I was very interested in, and I was very eager to come,” Smalling said.
“It happened very quickly. I am very focused on the next game, getting up to speed with training and learning the manager’s methods. And then hopefully I want have a very good season. After that, we will see.
“To have a chance at a big club, if it goes well and the club is happy and I am happy, then I can definitely see a longer-term future in Italy.”
Smalling is “looking forward” to testing his defensive qualities in Serie A and will have an important part to play in the Europa League, for which his parent club have also qualified.
The former Fulham man says winning the competition with Roma would be more special than it was with United in 2017.
“I think this club definitely has a chance,” he said.
“We will be one of the favourites in the competition. Obviously, there are a few other clubs too, but Roma will be among the favourites.
“It has been great to have won it previously, but it would be even greater to win it here in Italy.”
- Omni
RiP Anna K. other threads blocked.
@Damian Moylan: hear, hear
https://www.gofundme.com/f/1sc9471cmo
Please if you have a chance
If George Hamilton mentions Allison’s lack of clean sheets once more tonight, I’ll make my way to Anfield to personally shove Hamilton’s hands up his own h0le
@Ian Synnott: that’s oddly specific
@Ave it: Hamilton is being very specific about Allison’s lack of clean sheets.
@Ian Synnott: and fireworks…
@Ian Synnott: cant listen to him anymore. Surely he means liverpool’s and not Allison’s. The man had like 22 of them last season. Has played f all this year. This must be why your upset ha.
@Ave it: whilst failing to recognize that this he has only played 4 games this season
@Ian Synnott: I was talking about the hands…
@Ave it: ah sure, why not
@Yorkie1892: Might as well just send him out to watch the fireworks. Lug
Jürgen Flopp
@Joe Shea: well I don’t know what you consider a flop, but I’ll have plenty more of it.
Just look at the style of football being played man.
@Joe Shea: Good man Joe.
@Logan Shepherd: fair play logan
@Joe Shea: He has 1 less UCL trophy than Fergie from about a quarter of the attempts. Fergie, 2 from 19 = PALTRY!
@Roger Paltry: don’t u bring utd into this… That’s not fair .. Ur playing dirty
@Joe Shea: Do you do live gigs Joe. You’re so funny and so original. I’d say it would be a great night.
@Logan Shepherd: a joke is only as good as a laugh or is it other way around
@Roger Paltry: Klopp lost 8 finals in a row before he won one …. you make me laugh Wroger !
@Scott Stonebridge: #fakenews. Klopp won his first final.
Someone get Keith Andrews off commentary
@Brian McGuinness: He’s an abomination,how in the hell did he ever become analyst. The muck put of him. With his Tod Flanders hair cut.
@Brian McGuinness: he’s not as bad as David myler
@Declan O Toole: He’s chronic
@Declan O Toole: Todd Flanders! Brilliant
@Ian Synnott: Ha ha
Can’t beat an Ox in the box.
3-1 Genk
@Fergus O’Connor: draw for sure
@Joe Shea: I see all the pundits are online tonight.
@Fergus O’Connor: Genk are not that good!
@Damian Moylan: No 1-1
Clean sheets this season is very bad. Easy goals from set pieces conceded again.
@Yorkie1892: yeah. Definitely needs ti be tightened up quick. Especially going into crimbo fixtures. Forwards get tired and cant always bail out.
Gomez and Keita not good enough for Liverpool.