Chris Smalling

[Jair Ventura]

No. You are making assumptions.

Based off of your comments.

Saying Smalling has been the best CB. Remember that CENTRE BACK does not mean he has been best defender in league so you assumptions do not add up in the slightest by bringing in Shaw.

You think Smalling is the best CB, and Shaw the best LB. Meaning you’re of the mind that they're two of, if not the top two defenders in the EPL. It’s impossible to think one is the league’s best CB, and the other the best FB and believe otherwise.

Smalling has been far better this season than any of the CBs you mention bar maybe a fit Kompany whos lack of games probably gives Smalling the edge on who has been the best.

Otamendi been poor, Van Dijk been decent but nothing great. Kouyate is not even a CB.

Smalling has been far better based off of what? Because Otamendi has been one of the top CB’s in the world for club and country for over a year now. His excellence is well documented by far more than just me, his 4 EPL games being insufficient to say he’s lost form(he’s been solid besides).

Van Dijk has arguably been the best defensive player in the EPL through the early stages of the competition and I think most objective measures support that notion. He edges Smalling out in every defensive metric sans tackles, the least telling statistic of a CB’s quality.

As for Stones & Smalling, I think their level of play has been comparable, but the former is a more talented CB with a higher ceiling, his athleticism and ball playing skills proving more valuable in the modern game than Smalling’s strength and tackling.

My mistake on Kouyate, he generally plays CB for Senegal rather than the defensive mid role he’s in for West Ham. On the other hand, you overlooked Koscielny. And then there’s Kompany, who you did mention, whose definitively better than Smalling.

 

[IamGundogan]

Based off of your comments.



You think Smalling is the best CB, and Shaw the best LB. Meaning you’re of the mind that they're two of, if not the top two defenders in the EPL. It’s impossible to think one is the league’s best CB, and the other the best FB and believe otherwise.

Smalling has been far better based off of what? Because Otamendi has been one of the top CB’s in the world for club and country for over a year now. His excellence is well documented by far more than just me, his 4 EPL games being insufficient to say he’s lost form(he’s been solid besides).

Smalling has also been very good for club and country for the last year. Otamendi world class? Give me a break, if you're calling him world class based on one season, then so is Smalling. Otamendi has struggled in the PL so far (understandable new league so won't hold it against him). Also, your criticism of Smalling is his ball playing ability, Otamendi's distribution is worse then Smalling's.

Van Dijk has arguably been the best defensive player in the EPL through the early stages of the competition and I think most objective measures support that notion. He edges Smalling out in every defensive metric sans tackles, the least telling statistic of a CB’s quality.

Van Dijk who's played only half of the PL season as he joined in September, that Van Dijk? The same Van Dijk that got cramps after 75 mins because he couldn't keep up with Martial and had fits facing Vardy on the weekend?

As for Stones & Smalling, I think their level of play has been comparable, but the former is a more talented CB with a higher ceiling, his athleticism and ball playing skills proving more valuable in the modern game than Smalling’s strength and tackling.

Nope, even an Everton fan says Smalling has been better then Stones, but it's ok, you who barely watches the PL knows better. Stones does have a high ceiling though.

My mistake on Kouyate, he generally plays CB for Senegal rather than the defensive mid role he’s in for West Ham. On the other hand, you overlooked Koscielny. And then there’s Kompany, who you did mention, whose definitively better than Smalling

Your mistake on Kouyate because you know sweet F All about the PL or what's going on in it, like the rest of your posts.

 

[oggydude]

People appreciate different things in defenders, and that has a massive impact on how you rate them. LVG actually preferred Jones to Smalling in preseason at the annoyance of every United fan, because he believes a defender has to be comfortable on the ball and needs to create chances, whereas a manager like Fergie would have Smalling as his first choice CB just because of how effective he is as just a defender. I'm glad Jones has got injured and Smalling started as this season compared to last his passing has improved quite a bit, not still at the top level but you can forgive that as long as he stops the attackers. He is a typical English CB, and is starting to impose some much needed leadership into our defence.

 

[Jair Ventura]

Smalling has also been very good for club and country for the last year. Otamendi world class? Give me a break, if you're calling him world class based on one season, then so is Smalling.

Smalling doesn't have a top class season under his belt, so it isn't a 1 to 1 comparison.

Otamendi has struggled in the PL so far (understandable new league so won't hold it against him). Also, your criticism of Smalling is his ball playing ability, Otamendi's distribution is worse then Smalling's.

Otamendi hasn't struggled at all, but it's interesting you think his distribution worse than Smalling's when he averages two more longs balls per game over his career.

Van Dijk who's played only half of the PL season as he joined in September, that Van Dijk? The same Van Dijk that got cramps after 75 mins because he couldn't keep up with Martial and had fits facing Vardy on the weekend?

Smalling's 9 games are enough for him to be the best CB of the EPL but Van Dijk's 5 are too few? Color me shocked, but yes, that Van Dijk.

Nope, even an Everton fan says Smalling has been better then Stones, but it's ok, you who barely watches the PL knows better. Stones does have a high ceiling though.

One Everton supporter thinks otherwise and he speaks for them all!

Your mistake on Kouyate because you know sweet F All about the PL or what's going on in it, like the rest of your posts.

Or maybe you're a typically annoying EPL supporter?

 

[IamGundogan]

Smalling doesn't have a top class season under his belt, so it isn't a 1 to 1 comparison.

Yes he does, he's been playing at this level for United since November of last year.

Otamendi hasn't struggled at all, but it's interesting you think his distribution worse than Smalling's when he averages two more longs balls per game over his career.

Otamendi has struggled and made a few mistakes which have led directly to goal scoring opportunities. Long balls that have found their target? Also, source please. Your word is not enough.

Smalling's 9 games are enough for him to be the best CB of the EPL but Van Dijk's 5 are too few? Color me shocked, but yes, that Van Dijk.

News flash, Smalling has played more then 9 games in his PL career, Van Dijk hasn't.

One Everton supporter thinks otherwise and he speaks for them all!

Well it's a better and more weighted source then you are.

Or maybe you're a typically annoying EPL supporter?

Or maybe you have an opinion which is set in stone and stick to it regardless of the fact you watch very little PL.

 

[Jair Ventura]

Yes he does, he's been playing at this level for United since November of last year.

On one hand we have Otamendi who after only a season with Valencia led the club to UCL qualification for the first time in 4 years while being named to the La Liga team of the season and earning a transfer to a top club at a record fee. And on the other hand we have Smalling, whose done what to justify your claim that he's been top class since November?

Otamendi has struggled and made a few mistakes which have led directly to goal scoring opportunities. Long balls that have found their target? Also, source please. Your word is not enough.

Source... But I thought you were an authority on English football; why would you need I, who knows nothing, to educate you? I'd thought you'd have done a proper analysis before opening your mouth. As for your comments on Otamendi - Source please, your word is not enough.

News flash, Smalling has played more then 9 games in his PL career, Van Dijk hasn't.

Not sure what relevance this has when Smalling has spent the majority of his time in the EPL in mediocrity, and we're specifically discussing this season bedsides.

Well it's a better and more weighted source then you are.

Are you intentionally acting a child?

Or maybe you have an opinion which is set in stone and stick to it regardless of the fact you watch very little PL.

*yawn*

Ok.

 

[IamGundogan]

On one hand we have Otamendi who after only a season with Valencia led the club to UCL qualification for the first time in 4 years while being named to the La Liga team of the season and earning a transfer to a top club at a record fee. And on the other hand we have Smalling, whose done what to justify your claim that he's been top class since November?





Source... But I thought you were an authority on English football; why would you need I, who knows nothing, to educate you? I'd thought you'd have done a proper analysis before opening your mouth. As for your comments on Otamendi - Source please, your word is not enough.



Not sure what relevance this has when Smalling has spent the majority of his time in the EPL in mediocrity, and we're specifically discussing this season bedsides.



Are you intentionally acting a child?



*yawn*

Ok.

Aww, look at this, I asked for a source and he hasn't got one

My stats tell me Smalling averages for more long balls over his career than Otamendi (I don't need a source, I'll just go Jair Ventura), 10 more tackles and interceptions per game and he has a better looking GF.

Who needs sources, just believe me!

 

[Sea_of_Frost]

Aww, look at this, I asked for a source and he hasn't got one

My stats tell me Smalling averages for more long balls over his career than Otamendi (I don't need a source, I'll just go Jair Ventura),10 more tackles and interceptions per game and he has a better looking GF.

Who needs sources, just believe me!

What?

 

[slicknick]

What an absolute c*nt.....I really have words to say

 

[Givenchy]

What an absolute c*nt.....I really have words to say

if you mean the thing with Messi, i doubt he actually meant to do that. still the amount of fouls he got away with on Suarez was ridiculous

 

[El Gato]

It's amazing how donkeys like him get contract renewals in this club. Something else.

 

[Cule4life]

It's amazing how donkeys like him get contract renewals in this club. Something else.

He's English and they have Bob Woodward in charge. Do the math.

 

[FinBarcelonafan]

Joke of a player. I wish he had red card.

 

[Barcilliant]

He should be in the nrl.

 

[Falcao]

He did nothing wrong, Messi was just unfortunate. The scandal was how many fouls Busquets was allowed to get away with.