Those of an England persuasion to have taken in AS Roma’s meeting with Inter Milan on Saturday have taken to social media in their numbers, to send a message to head coach Gareth Southgate.
The reason? The latest display put forth by Chris Smalling.
Jose Mourinho’s troops made the trip to San Siro a short time ago, with former Manchester United star Smalling, as expected, afforded a starting berth at the heart of the visitors’ backline.
And what an outing the 32-year-old went on to enjoy.
A dominant display at the back, capped off by what stood as the winner at the other end late on, proved decisive in Roma ultimately departing Milan on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline.
Could that be the goal… 👀
A late header from Chris Smalling completes the comeback for Roma as the end of the game nears!❤️ pic.twitter.com/F94465N7X2
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) October 1, 2022
And, as alluded to above, Smalling’s latest display of defensive brilliance has not gone at all unnoticed amongst fans across his home country.
Check out some of the highlights from across Twitter below:
Smalling should be ahead of Maguire for England
Basically all English defenders should be ahead of Maguire
— Tucheliban army 🪖 (@o_l_amide) October 1, 2022
Chris Smalling > Harry Maguire btw
— 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐫 🇶🇦 (@UtdEra_) October 1, 2022
Chris Smalling >>> Maguire
SouthGate needs to have a hard think before he drafts his final World Cup squad list. pic.twitter.com/ofpRdqvKCx
— MrBanks💰 (@Mrbankstips) October 1, 2022
Chris Smalling is more deserving of going to Qatar than Maguire.
— Jack Farr (@redbrood) October 1, 2022
Chris Smalling with a winner and a last minute clearance for Roma but here comes Gareth Southgate with Maguire #Roma #England
— Nate4utd (@nate4utd) October 1, 2022
Chris Smalling >>> Maguire
— 🦍 (@TitoSbakery) October 1, 2022
It is a travesty & a grave injustice that Chris Smalling is labelled deadwood & completely shut out of England squad while the barely mobile & brainless lump of wood called Maguire is United captain & is a guaranteed England starter. It is the most unfair thing ever.
— Babanla (@biolakazeem) October 1, 2022
Tomori won’t start and Smalling won’t get invited by Southgate but always call Maguire who doesn’t even start for his club.
And you wonder why they haven’t won anything?
— Prophet Chijioke ⚪ (@ProphetChijioke) October 1, 2022
For england I’d do Smalling for Maguire 👍
— Paul Cox (@CoxTanisnaga) October 1, 2022
Apart from “Southgate’s Demented World”…Tell me Which other Sane World where Chris Smalling doesn’t start ahead of the Like of Maguire at the #QatarWorldCup2022 #England
— Gifted Soul™🇰🇪🇿🇦 (@EphyKibz_1) October 1, 2022
The story so far: Ranking Manchester City & Manchester United ahead of derby clash
