Why Tottenham must make a move for Chris Smalling in the summer
According to Calciomercato (h/t The Express), Tottenham are interested in signing Manchester United defender Chris Smalling, who is currently out on a season-long loan with AS Roma.
Smalling, 30, has established himself as a first-team regular at AS Roma after joining the Italian club in August last year, having been deemed surplus to requirements by Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He has made 27 appearances in all competitions for Roma this season, scoring twice.
As it stands, the English centre-back is scheduled to return to parent club Manchester United at the end of the season; however, his form in Serie A has caught the attention of the Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho, who wants to sign the 30-year-old as a potential replacement for Jan Vertonghen, the report adds. (h/t The Express)
Vertonghen has looked a shadow of himself for Tottenham this season. He has struggled to cope with the fast-paced nature of the Premier League and was hauled off in the FA Cup victory over Southampton earlier this month. Plus, the Belgian will be 33 in April and is out of contract at the end of the season.
He and Tottenham team-mate — and fellow countryman — Toby Alderweireld were not so long ago the best central defensive duo in the Premier League. But both Vertonghen and Alderweireld have looked off the pace this term, resulting into Spurs leaking goals at an alarming rate. Alderweireld may have committed his future at the club but Vertonghen is a potential free agent in the summer.
Vertonghen has lost his place in the first team, with Mourinho most recently preferring a centre-half pairing of Alderweireld and Davinson Sanchez. The promotion of 20-year-old Japhet Tanganga has also weakened the player’s hand, although the club would be reluctant to lose the experience Belgian for free.
Nevertheless, Mourinho should prioritise reinforcing his backline after seeing Tottenham leak 36 goals in 27 games. To that end, the Spurs boss should attempt to sign Chris Smalling this summer.
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Smalling was a regular fixture at United when Mourinho was in charge of the club, playing 82 times across all competitions in the first two seasons. A vastly experienced player, he has played over 320 games in all competitions for the Red Devils.
Verdict
Tottenham are in major need of some fresh centre-back options next season and a highly-experienced defender like Smalling could be a great addition to the north London outfit. Thus, Spurs must do everything possible to sign the English centre-back in the summer.
