Gareth Southgate admits he regrets the way he treated Chris Smalling, after the player dropped by England three years ago put himself back in contention for a Euro 2020 spot with his Roma form this season.
Smalling has reinvigorated his career since leaving Manchester United on loan last summer for the challenge of Serie A. With his team in contention for a Champions League place, he has been one of the best performing English centre-backs anywhere.
The 30-year-old defender has not featured for the national team since 2017. At the time, Southgate cited an ability to “use the ball from the back” as the reason for choosing other players. It was a decision which frustrated Smalling and one Southgate now admits he got wrong.
“I probably regretted the way of [relaying the message],” England’s manager said. “By praising others for certain attributes there was [implied] criticism for Chris. It was my fault and it was unfair on him.”
Southgate said he had spoken to Smalling to explain his decision but that widespread coverage of his remarks had made it difficult for them to be put to one side. I spoke to him when I left him out of the squad and explained what I explained to everybody. Of course, because of the way it came out … there was little point. I wasn’t going to say anything that hadn’t already been said.”
The player responded forcefully to the decision at the time. “You don’t win every trophy bar the Champions League without being able to do everything a top defender needs to do. I don’t really feel like I need to prove anything to Gareth.”
Smalling’s reputation is perhaps as strong as it has ever been and Roma are reportedly also keen to complete the defender’s permanent signing. A place at Euro 2020 is not beyond him either, and Southgate admits the player he rejected is back under consideration.
“I think he’s done well in Italy the manager said. “He’s playing at another big club. He was obviously playing at a big club before. We’re watching everybody because we’ve got to make sure we make the right decision. I’ve never ruled anybody out. I think that would be wrong.”
