Pace has been a long-standing feature in Manchester United’s style of play. From Ryan Giggs to Cristiano Ronaldo, Patrice Evra to Antonio Valencia, United have always loaded themselves with rapid players to enable them to deploy their cut-throat attacks and nullify opponents in defence.
The current crop includes the likes of Angel Di Maria, Luke Shaw, Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Memphis Depay, and Chris Smalling. No really. That is according to Smalling himself. The Independent report that Smalling rates himself as the fastest member of the current squad in an interview with the official Manchester United website.
“Yeah, I’d back myself against the majority (of the squad) whether it be over five, 10 or 40 metres to be honest.“That might surprise a few people but I think if you asked most of the guys, they wouldn’t want to race me.”
And surprise is the correct word. Though you cannot say Smalling is slow, he certainly wouldn’t be considered in the same fold as the likes of Di Maria or Antonio Valencia. But perhaps that is because you rarely see him use this supposed pace he owns. Rarely do you see Smalling raiding down the wing, or bursting through the middle, so maybe his claims aren’t too far from the truth.
This bravado could well result in a race between those categorised as the quickest at the club. And that is something I’m sure everyone would like to see, to prove Smalling’s claims. And if true, does this information open up new transfer possibilities for Louis van Gaal? So much is said about the need for fast central defenders, and this school of thought leads many to dismiss the notion of signing Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund due to the Germans lack of speed. But if he were to be paired with someone who posses speed, could it work?
With Smalling having improved his general game towards the end of last season, he must surely be in consideration for a starting role coming into the new season. Taking that forward, it does open up new possibilities for Louis van Gaal in the transfer market. It means finding a centre half that possesses great speed is no longer a priority, he already has one allegedly.
It perhaps shows how far Smalling has come since joining the club. In the last month of last season he proved himself strong both in the air and in the tackle, having the ability to make up lost yards on a striker starts to give him a more complete look to his game – not too dissimilar to Rio Ferdinand (though nowhere near as good as Ferdinand, he simply is the best comparative).
It offers food for thought, this new revelation. It also helps those that are suddenly in favour of the new improved Chris Smalling. It could save United millions in the market and could be the difference in a lot of the games next season. It was a shock reading the headline, and even more of one reading the bold claims made in the story, but I want proof. Chris Smalling, fastest player in the squad, I need a lie down.
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