Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling is hopeful that he can play a part in next Summer’s World Cup and is also wanting to be deployed as a centre-back, rather than a wing-back.
The Red Devil defender started in the 1-0 defeat to Germany last night alongside Phil Jagielka in the heart of the back-line, but he has also been used as right-back on numerous occasions for both United and England.
Despite wanting to play centre-back, Smalling believes his versatility could help him win a place in Roy Hodgson’s World Cup squad.
“If that is a little extra thing that will get me there then yeah that will count but I want to know I will go as centre-back – that is the main thing,” he told Sky Sports News.
“Centre-back is my natural position and I enjoyed it there.”
Although the game ended in defeat, the United-man reflected on the match at full-time and insisted that positives can be taken.
“Overall the performance in the first half was good. The goal killed it a bit. They were a big team and they capitalised on that,” he added.
“We had good spells but we didn’t make it count.”
He then added: “I think Germany are one of the favourites for the World Cup.
“They are a big nation. I don’t know (how far we are behind them).
“They didn’t have all their players available and we didn’t have all of ours so there is a lot more that both sides can give.
“It was a good taste of playing the teams we have got to come.
“It will help sharpen us when we meet up again in March. We need to be raring to go. We are looking forward to the summer.”
Written by Alex Batt – @AlexBatt – @AlexsArticles
