Smalling sees long future in Italy

“This is an opportunity that came to me that I was very interested in, and I was very eager to come,” he said. “It happened very quickly and now I focus on the next game, getting up to speed with training in terms of the manager’s methods and then hopefully have a very good season.

“To be able to have the chance at a big club, and then if it prolongs and the club is happy then I can definitely see a longer-term future in Italy.”

Those are the words of AS Roma defender Chris Smalling, who has made it clear that he could wind up staying in Italian football for quite some time. Smalling recently made his transition over from Premier League side Manchester United on loan, as he attempts to reignite the flame that is his professional career.

Whatever happens, he certainly doesn’t seem to be thinking about English football right now.