Why Everton must make a move to sign Chris Smalling from Man United
As per a report from The Sun, Everton are plotting to swoop in for Manchester United defender Chris Smalling in the summer.
The 28-year-old Englishman is in the final year of his contract with the Red Devils and will be available on a free transfer at the end of the season. And Everton are believed to be keen on capitalizing on his situation and making a move for him. (h/t The Sun)
Smalling has been with Manchester United for over eight years now, having arrived at Old Trafford from Fulham in the summer of 2010. During his time with the Red Devils, the England international has racked up 303 appearances and has gone on to win two Premier League titles, along with a UEFA Europa League trophy, a League Cup and an FA Cup.
Currently the most experienced centre-back at United, the 28-year-old has been in and out of the team owing to inconsistencies his performances that have plagued him for the entirety of his spell at Old Trafford. However, Smalling has managed to establish himself as a mainstay at the back for the Red Devils under Jose Mourinho, despite dishing out some scratchy, error-prone displays. So far in the ongoing campaign, Smalling has featured in 14 games across all competitions.
Everton have made a fairly decent start to life under new boss Marco Silva. The Toffees currently sit 9th in the table, just a point and a place below Manchester United. They have conceded fewer goals than the Mancunian outfit this term but have the third-worst defence in the top half of the table after United and Leicester City.
Phil Jagielka is in the twilight of his career at 36 and will see his contract with the Merseysiders expire at the end of the season. Kurt Zouma will also return to Chelsea once his loan deal comes to an end, leaving Everton light on numbers in the defence ahead of the next season.
And that is why making a new centre-back addition to the squad should be a top priority for Silva. While Smalling has had his spell of inconsistencies at United, the Englishman remains more than a reliable performer when he enjoys the confidence and the backing of his manager, which hasn’t always been the case at Old Trafford.
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The 31-time capped England international has the experience of playing over 200 games in the Premier League for one of the biggest clubs in the world, where he has won a number of titles and trophies. At 28, he is entering the peak years of his career and considering that he will be available on a free transfer, he would be quite a shrewd summer purchase for Everton.
