Before last season, Fulham defender Chris Smalling was playing non-league football with Maidstone United. Eighteen months on and he’s helped England’s Under-21s to consecutive clean sheets in their last two games, playing in the Europa League and vying for a place in the Cottagers first-team in order to rub shoulders wih the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal.
The rapidity with which Smalling has adapted to top-flight football has been astonishing. Part of Roy Hodgson’s ‘first choice second XI’ in the Europa League, he was man of the match in our first match against Sofia, and went on to keep in his place in the home victory over Basel. He turns 20 later this month but shows a maturity and composure on the pitch that belies his tender age. I’ve yet to see him make a mistake in a Fulham shirt and it is a comfort to know someone of his talent and potential is waiting to step-up should something happen to Hughes or Hangeland.
A very athletic individual, Smalling is imposing, without losing his pace across the turf. If he continues to develop at his current rate then it’s probable that he’ll go on to become a better all-round defender than those we currently have at the club. Praise indeed, considering Hangeland is generally seen as one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.
Smalling was only given a starting berth for England against Portugal at the weekend because of the absence of James Tomkins. But that was not the reason he started against Lithuania; he started that game because of form. He was singled out for praise by manager Stuart Pearce and captain Micah Richards, both impressed with how easily Smalling slotted into a strong England side.
The last time I visited Craven Cottage I spotted someone in a 'Smalling 26' shirt in the Golden Lion beforehand. I’ve always liked it when people get the less high-profile names on the back of their shirt, but I doubt it will be long before that particular gentlemen is no longer in the minority with his choice of player and number.