Jose Mourinho: If I were Gareth Southgate, I'd call up Chris Smalling for England
- Heinrich Griessel
- 18 October 2022
Jose Mourinho believes England boss Gareth Southgate would be making a mistake if he overlooks Roma defender Chris Smalling for the World Cup.
In the Giallorossi's 1-0 win over Sampdoria on Monday, Smalling once again proved to Mourinho how much he's grown as a player.
The 32-year-old has helped Roma keep four clean sheets in the league this season, and now has experience playing in both a two- and a three-man defence.
"He was taught to play in a two-man defence in Manchester, but now he's got the perfect acumen to play in a three-man backline," Mourinho told reporters, as quoted by Daily Mail.
"If I were the coach of a national team, I would do anything to have someone like him at my disposal.
"I don't think it's a lack of respect to Gareth Southgate when I say that I feel very sorry for a player who's playing at such a high level like Smalling and who won't get the opportunity he deserves."
The former Manchester United centre-back may have convinced Mourinho of his quality, but he remains an unlikely pick for Southgate as Smalling hasn't played for England since 2017.
