Spurs fans were shocked to hear that the club could make a move for Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling in the summer transfer window, but could face competition from Everton.
According to Corriere Dello Sport (via Ricky Sacks), Jose Mourinho could be reunited with the 30-year-old defender, who has spent this season on loan with Roma in Serie A. The Englishman was deemed surplus to requirements by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the summer and sent to Roma on loan, but he has largely impressed in his performances so far – averaging a 7.12 rating in the league and in European competition, as per WhoScored.
Mourinho is perhaps preparing for life without 32-year-old Jan Vertonghen, with the Belgian international looking set to leave in the summer with his contract expiring and Smalling could represent an experienced Premier League replacement. The centre-back has made 219 Premier League appearances in his career and is currently valued at £18 million by Transfermarkt, so he could represent a fairly cheap option for the 57-year-old manager in the summer.
Would Smalling be a good signing for Spurs?
Yes
No
Reaction from Spurs fans to the reported interest in Smalling can be seen in the tweets below.
Please no
— Mohammed Khan (@mohammedkhan78) February 18, 2020
Please no. Need to look for far better
— SWSPURS (@swspurs) February 18, 2020
Never rated him!!! Must be cheap
— Nick matthews (@Nickmat79111082) February 19, 2020
Not good enough for united, not good enough for spurs
— Eamonn Macneill (@macspur121) February 18, 2020
This information cannot be correct Jose can’t go for chris he is slow and insidecive with the ball. Calamity player. Jose will never call for him.
— Williams Kingsley (@William27071636) February 18, 2020
This is just the beginning. We are going backwards as a club
— David (@daviiidsays) February 19, 2020
Hes rubbush thats why hes not at Man United today
— Spider from Mars! (@kruder69) February 19, 2020
These Spurs fans clearly aren’t impressed with the link to Smalling and will be hoping that Mourinho looks elsewhere for a defender if he feels he needs to sign one in the summer window.
What do we think?
Spurs already have 20-year-old Japhet Tanganga, who has established himself as a regular in the side recently, so it would perhaps be a surprise to see them add a 30-year-old Smalling in the summer window.