I Don’t Have To Prove Anything To Gareth Southgate – Smalling

Chris Smalling has said that he has nothing to prove to Gareth Southgate after his England snub, but feels the Three Lions manager will struggle to leave him out of his World Cup squad if he maintains this season’s form.

Smalling was excluded from England’s friendlies against Germany and Brazil earlier this month with Southgate explaining he wants defenders in his squad who “use the ball from the back.”

He told a news conference on Tuesday: “Was I surprised? Yes, I was.

“But you don’t play for one of the biggest clubs in the world for as long as I have and probably won the most trophies bar the Champions League without being able to do everything a top defender needs to do, be it playing or defending.

“I don’t really feel like I need to prove anything to Gareth. Like I said, I play for one of the most successful managers in Jose [Mourinho] and he’s only going to pick the best players.

“While I’m playing regularly and he’s happy, I think, if my season carries on like this and we have a successful season and our team continues to concede very few goals, then I think it gives him maybe no choice in the summer but to pick me.”

“I play for one of the biggest clubs and under one of the most successful managers in Jose and as long as that’s the case, I think, ultimately, it’s your club form that decides whether you play at a World Cup because there aren’t many England games throughout the season.

“While I’m playing regularly here and part of a very successful team I think that should show come the summer. I think I can use every game that I play for United, whatever cup it is. With United there is always spotlight on it and there’s always going to be that pressure, no matter what the game is. Whether it’s the Premier League or the Champions League, I think I can showcase my abilities.”