Speaking to Football Insider, former Hull defender Alex Bruce has backed Everton’s reported pursuit of Chris Smalling.
What did he say?
According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Carlo Ancelotti’s side are interested in signing the AS Roma man this summer after he returns from his season-long loan spell from Manchester United.
And Bruce has given his seal of approval to such a move, saying that he would be a “good acquisition for anybody”.
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He said: “It does not surprise me at all. You know exactly what you will get out of Chris. Speaking from experience from playing against him myself I have always found him a no-nonsense steady eddy – you know what you are going to get. He is good in the air and he is a good one on one defender.
“The fact that he is getting linked, especially after doing very well at Roma – does not surprise me. He would be a good acquisition for anybody.”
False dawn
Whilst Smalling is no doubt enjoying a fine season over in Italy – he has averaged an impressive 2.2 interceptions and 1.1 tackles per game in Serie A – the Toffees shouldn’t forget about how this is still a man who was deemed not good enough to be at United.
Did he play for Everton? Simple question but a lot tougher than you think…
The Merseyside club should be looking to target younger players with higher potential, rather than Premier League cast-offs. Smalling’s renaissance may purely be down to the different styles of football, and that could be something that is perfectly down his street.
But if the 6 foot 4 powerhouse was truly a master of his craft in English football, then Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would surely have kept him and perhaps let Phil Jones go instead. And that just says it all really. Everton should steer clear.
Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti should play this man against Arsenal.