Chris Smalling has become a "leader" for Roma as he reaps the benefits of his relationship with Roma boss Jose Mourinho.
Now aged 32, Smalling is arguably in the form of his career for the Italian giants – whom he joined from Manchester United, initially on a loan deal, in 2019. He has clocked up over 100 appearances for the Giallorossi and his resurgence in form has prompted talk of a call-up to the England squad for this year's World Cup.
Roma general manager Tiago Pinto has opened up to Mirror Football on Smalling's importance at the club and believes his understanding with Mourinho, for whom he was a regular in the heart of United's defence during their time together at Old Trafford, has provided a huge boost to the club.
Smalling has overcome the injuries and fitness issues that hampered the early seasons of his career – a factor he believes has been largely helped by his vegan diet – and so impressive was he during his debut season in the Italian capital in 2019-20 that Roma made his loan deal permanent in a £15million deal.
A year later, Mourinho was appointed as manager to be reunited with the central defender in whom he placed great trust in Manchester. Smalling has been a virtual ever-present in the 14 months since and put in a man of the match performance as Roma won the inaugural Europa Conference League title last season – beating Feyenoord 1-0 in the final.
Pinto has explained: "Chris enjoys a big status here because on top of his defensive skills – last year he was, in my opinion, one of the best if not the best centre-back of the whole Serie A – he scored a number of decisive goals in all competitions." Smalling has already hit double figures in terms of goals during his career at Roma, with three coming this season – including a winner at Inter.
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Pinto added: "Mourinho's arrival at Roma was very important for him. They already knew each other from Man United. However, their relationship and mutual confidence took a step forward here. He is a 32-year-old and he is in the best form of his career. He absolutely benefited from his relationship with Mourinho and is now a leader of the team and an idol for the fans."
Without an England cap since 2017, Pinto echoed the view at Roma of how important the central defender is and how he would be deserving of inclusion in Gareth Southgate's international squad: "Smalling is today the best English central defender."
Smalling made over 300 appearances across a ten-year spell at Old Trafford but is now enjoying life in Rome. Having earned another European honour to his medal's collection and become the side’s defensive leader, the former Fulham defender has established himself as somewhat of a cult hero for Romanistas.
