Spurs fans have been reacting to the latest news surrounding a reported interest in Manchester United centre-back Chris Smalling.
According to the Daily Mail (via Ricky Sacks), the 30-year-old defender is still considering his next move and will decide on his future in the summer. The former Fulham man has spent this season on loan at Roma, and his impressive performances in Serie A, where he has averaged a 7.11 match rating (as per WhoScored), have prompted links to the likes of Spurs, Everton, and Arsenal.
Spurs currently stand to lose centre-back Jan Vertonghen in the summer when his contract expires and it seems as if Smalling could be his replacement for Jose Mourinho, who managed the defender during his time at Manchester United. The Englishman is currently valued at £18 million by Transfermarkt, so it could represent a fairly cheap deal for the North London club if Manchester United are keen to move him on.
Would would you rather have in your squad?
Chris Smalling
Jan Vertonghen
However, it seems the thought of Smalling joining the club has not gone down well amongst parts of the Spurs fanbase:
He looks good because he’s playing in a slower paced league. We need top players not Smalling, Lovren & Willian.
— andy (@andyo115) March 18, 2020
No don’t want him.
— George Tucker (@Tux02) March 18, 2020
Him at Lovren together at the back would be better than what we have, but give me a break. For Spurs, would never work.
— David Williams (@DavidWilliamsDK) March 18, 2020
Jeez…. Smalling and Lovren linked to us so far! Surely we’ve not come to this…. yet
— Chris (@ChrisHfootball) March 18, 2020
Have a day off. Some of us had almost forgotten Tottenham Hotspur even existed.
— Seany (@seanheld) March 18, 2020
Letting Jan go and signing Chris Smalling doesn’t feel very exciting tbh. Where’s Raphael Varane?
— JC McLean (@JCMSpurs) March 18, 2020
These Spurs fans clearly aren’t too keen on a move for Smalling in the summer transfer window.
What do we think?
Although Smalling has arguably excelled in Serie A, during his last season in the Premier League, he averaged a less impressive 6.79 rating, which suggests that Mourinho could be looking for better defensive options this summer.