Chris Smalling
{{Infobox football biography 2
| playername = Chris Smalling
| image = 
| caption =
| fullname = Christopher Lloyd Smalling[1]
| dateofbirth = 22 November 1989
| cityofbirth = Greenwich, London
| countryofbirth = England
| height = 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)[2][3]
| position = Defender
| currentclub = Fulham
| clubnumber = 26
| youthyears1 = |youthclubs1 = Maidstone United
| years1 = 2007–2008 |clubs1 = Maidstone United |caps1 = 12 |goals1 = 1
| years2 = 2008–2010 |clubs2 = Fulham |caps2 = 13 |goals2 = 0
| years3 = 2010- |clubs3 = [[Manchster United F.C.|Manchester United |caps3 = 0 |goals3 = 0
| nationalyears1 = 2009– |nationalteam1 = England U20 |nationalcaps1 = 1 |nationalgoals1 = 0
| nationalyears2 = 2009– |nationalteam2 = England U21 |nationalcaps2 = 4 |nationalgoals2 = 0
| pcupdate = 18:49, 12 May 2010 (UTC)
| ntupdate = 18:24, 4 March 2010 (UTC)
}}
Christopher Lloyd "Chris" Smalling (born 22 November 1989) is an English footballer who plays for Fulham as a defender. He will join Manchester United prior to the 2010–11 season after signing a pre-contract agreement with the club on 26 January 2010.
Career
Early career
Born in Greenwich, London, Smalling started playing football at the age of nine for Walderslade Boys. After failing to settle at any football league academy, Smalling opted to continue his education at Chatham Grammar School for Boys. Whilst studying for his A Levels, Smalling was selected to represent his county (Kent), and the Kent Schools' Football Association then nominated him for trials for the English Schools' Football Association's Under 18 international squad. He was selected to represent the ESFA in the programme of fixtures in the Centenary Shield, including the game against Scotland Schools at Wembley in April 2008.
Whilst still at school he played for Isthmian League side Maidstone United. At the age of 17, Smalling made his competitive debut for 'The Stones', starting against Canvey Island in the Isthmian League Cup. Two months later he made his league debut, playing the whole match in a 2–1 loss against Heybridge Swifts. Smalling went on to play eleven more times for Maidstone, his final appearance coming in a 4–2 win at East Thurrock United, a game in which he scored his only senior goal for the club.
Fulham
In June 2008 Smalling signed for Premier League side Fulham.[4] He was made captain of the club's Development Squad by manager Billy McKinlay.[5] On 24 May 2009, Smalling made his Premier League debut for Fulham, replacing Aaron Hughes in the 77th minute in the final game of the 2008–09 season, a 2–0 home loss to Everton.[6] Smalling made his first start for Fulham in on 17 September 2009, in an away tie with CSKA Sofia in the UEFA Europa League with the match ending 1–1.[7] On 28 December 2009, Smalling made his first league start for Fulham, in a 2–1 loss against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in Fulham's final game of 2009. Smalling scored a decisive own goal in the 75th minute of the match.[8]
Manchester United
On 26 January 2010, Manchester United announced that they had signed Smalling, with the player staying at Fulham for the remainder of the 2009–10 season before joining United for 2010–11.[9]
International career
Smalling made his debut for the England under-20 team in April 2009, playing 45 minutes against Italy at Loftus Road. On 11 August 2009, four months after his under-20 debut, he made his Under-21 debut in a friendly fixture against the Netherlands, coming on as a substitute in the 58th minute of a 0–0 away draw.[10] On 14 December 2009, Smalling made first start for the Under-21s in a 2011 U21 European Championship qualifier against Portugal at Wembley Stadium in a 1–0 win.[11] Smalling appeared against Greece in England's 2–1 loss in Doncaster; his mistake led to Greece's second goal.[12]
Career statistics
| Club | Season | League | Cup | League Cup | Europe | Other[13] | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Fulham | 2008–09 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2009–10 | 12 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 18 | 0 | ||
| Total | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | – | 18 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 13 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | |
Statistics accurate as of match played 9 May 2010
References
- ^ "Search 1984 to 2006 – Birth, Marriage and Death indexes". Findmypast.com. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ Hugman, Barry J. (2009). The PFA Footballers' Who's Who 2009–10. Edinburgh: Mainstream Publishing. p. 379. ISBN 978-1-84596-474-0.
- ^ Rollin, Glenda; Rollin, Jack, eds. (2009). Sky Sports Football Yearbook 2009–2010. Headline. p. 477. ISBN 978-0-7553-1948-0.
{{cite book}}: Unknown parameter|lastauthoramp=ignored (|name-list-style=suggested) (help) - ^ Beattie, Chris (4 January 2009). "Chris Smalling: Fulham move proof there's talent outside Football League". Tribal Football. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
{{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in:|publisher=(help) - ^ "Pathway to Success". fulhamfc.com. Fulham FC. 4 June 2009. Retrieved 5 June 2009.
- ^ "Fulham v Everton". fulhamfc.com. Fulham FC. 24 May 2009. Retrieved 25 May 2009.
- ^ Lyon, Sam (17 September 2009). "CSKA Sofia 1–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 17 September 2009.
- ^ Hughes, Ian (28 December 2009). "Chelsea 2–1 Fulham". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. Retrieved 28 December 2009.
- ^ Hibbs, Ben (26 January 2010). "Reds swoop for Smalling". ManUtd.com. Manchester United. Retrieved 26 January 2010.
- ^ "Holland U21 0–0 England U21". BBC Sport. BBC Sport. 11 August 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2009.
- ^ "Rose the thorn in Portugal's side". UEFA. UEFA. 14 December 2009. Retrieved 14 December 2009.
- ^ "England U21 1–2 Greece U21". BBC Sport. British Broadcasting Corporation. 3 March 2010. Retrieved 4 March 2010.
- ^ Includes other competitive competitions, including the FA Community Shield
External links
- Chris Smalling at Soccerbase