Chris Smalling Interview - The Chance
SoccerBible was on location with Chris Smalling, the latest Nike star to offer his support to Nike's The Chance, as he not only handed out his First Find ticket but also gave us an exclusive interview on The Chance, Manchester United, Nike footwear and England.
Not to be outdone by United team-mate Rio Ferdinand, Smalling selected his First Find for the UK finals of The Chance and is optimistic his player has the attributes needed to succeed. And Smalling a United first team player and full England international knows all about taking your chances, as just four years ago he was playing for Maidstone United!
SoccerBible:The Chance is bigger and better than ever before. So if you were still a young player trying to break through, is it a must in terms of the opportunity it provides?
Chris Smallin Definitely. If I was still trying to make it this is the kind of competition I would enter. A lot of kids don t get the opportunity so when something like this comes up you ve got to give it your all.
|
Do you believe there's a lot of great football talent that slips through the net, which is what makes chances like this so important?
CS: There are a lot of people who just need a chance and to be able to showcase what talent they ve got.
Is 'making it' based on talent alone, or is it equally important to have the right attitude on and off the pitch and work hard?
CS:I think technical ability is one factor, but there are lots of others in terms of confidence, determination and will, because you will have ups and downs even when you ve made it.
What made you pick your player?
CS:He was the one who stood out to me. Often when you see a player you can just tell - in terms of the ability they ve got and if they re a team player and talking to the other players. Dwayne was helping out the other players during the game which showed great team spirit. |
 |
It was a very competitive game, did you see a lot of passion out there?
CS: There was a lot of passion. When I got to the training ground there were two games going on, so I was walking up and down the lines and switching between the two to get a good overall feel. It was really interesting to see what was going on.
The player Rio Ferdinand picked as his First Find has just been called up to the England U18s, who you played for. So how important are these experiences in a player s progression?
CS: I think it s key in terms of creating more chances for yourself. For me, playing in the England schoolboys, going to trials, and letting scouts see me was important. Full credit to him.
Will there be a rivalry between you and Rio as you both want the player you picked to succeed?
CS: There will be! Rio took it very seriously. Apparently he had his clipboard out and was walking up and down the pitch.
How have you found it this season?
CS: It s been a good season so far. I ve had a few little niggles but I m feeling good now and hopefully can continue playing well for the rest of the season. There s still a lot to play for. The fact that I got to play in a lot of good games last year has definitely helped in my progression at the club.
You're a young defender progressing rapidly. Are there any other young defenders in world football who have impressed you?
CS: Gerard Pique and Thiago Silva are great defenders. They re young players who play the right way. Our managers get us to play from the back and it s good to see other countries doing that as well.
Have you and Phil Jones discussed that you could be the future Manchester United and England partnership?
CS: Yeah, I think it would be nice. We ve played a lot together in U21s so it s all pointing in the positive direction to playing more games together in future.
What are your feelings about playing at right-back?
CS: It s something different, but I m hoping centre back will be my main one.
Who has been your most formidable opponent so far in the Premier League?
CS: That s a tough one. Maybe Drogba. He is a good test in terms of speed and skill, and it s nice to test myself out against the best.
How important to the squad is the Europa League?
CS: It s crucial. We were disappointed coming out of the Champions League, but we ve got some great sides to play so it s going to be a good test and our fans will be keen to win this one. It would be great to win it for the first time.
With Evra, Ferdinand and Rooney in the squad there's a lot of personalities, so must be a great squad to be involved with?
CS: It is! We ve got the top players who have been around for years like Scholes and Giggs and some great young players. It s an honour to be part of the team.
Is there a player who has an interesting hidden talent at Manchester United? For example David James is an artist, Lucas at Liverpool is a cattle rancher and Mertesacker loves karaoke?
CS: I m not sure I can compete with those. Phil Jones is a good singer. He likes to do a bit of Boyzone and Westlife. He has fun getting up on the mic - and we have fun watching him!
How is it having Paul Scholes return to the side? Could he still play internationally?
CS: Oh, it s great to have him back. I was one of many who didn t want to see him retire. I felt like he could go on. He s phenomenal. It would be good if he could play internationally again, but that would be down to him. At the moment he s doing brilliantly for United.
What's your stand-out moment with Manchester United so far?
CS: The one that stands out is the derby last year. It was probably my biggest game in terms of it being my first derby, and Wazza scored that amazing goal to win the game 2-1.
Four years ago you were in the starting line-up for Maidstone United. Now you're starting for England. Have you had any moments when you've had to pinch yourself?
CS: I haven t really sat down and thought about it. It s not too long ago that I was at Maidstone and it s great how much I ve achieved so far, but I m still striving for more.
How's your head after that clash with Huntelaar?
CS: I m ok. Had some stitches, they re bright blue. Not sure why they couldn t have done black to match my hair! I m feeling really good now, and looking forward to the next game.
Have you set your targets for Premier League glory and making it to the Euros with England?
CS: Premier League is definitely my main objective especially with the rivals being just ahead of us at the minute. Then the summer s a big one with the Euros and the Olympics. Hopefully it s going to be a busy end to the season.
Last time we spoke to you (in August for the opening of the Man Utd Megastore) you were wearing T90 Laser IIIs. Since then you've moved into the Laser IV. So how are you finding them? Are there any stand-out differences?
CS: I prefer them, they re better. I like my boots quite fitted and these are slim and really light as well.
What makes the T90 Laser in particular suitable for defenders, and what do you look for in a new pair of football boots?
CS: The fact that they re light is great. As a defender you re up against the fastest strikers, and the Lasers also give you the confidence to strike a ball.
Which boot colours do you prefer?
CS: I wear black and pink at the moment which are great colours. It s always nice to have a little change. If I could choose I would go for white.
Do you keep any of your boots from memorable games?
CS: Yes, when we played in the Champions League Final against Barcelona last year. I had the blue and black version of theT90s and I had them embroided so it s a nice keeper.
Attackers get a lot of plaudits, but defending is an artform in itself. Is football in danger of losing this as it becomes more of a non contact sport with players wary of making challenges?
CS: I think it s highlighted a lot more these days, in terms of how the game is going. Players are much faster, and some defenders are too harsh going in with two footed tackles.
Are there any opposing strikers who you've struck up a healthy rivalry with? We spoke to Rio and he said for him it was Kevin Davies!
CS: He s definitely one of them. We used to live in the same apartment block and I ve played him a few times now. He s a good lad and a good player, too.
Who was your sporting hero growing up?
CS: Ian Wright. He was someone I always looked up to when I was growing up.
Finally, if you could offer one piece of advice to any aspiring young footballer, what would it be? Something that has perhaps worked for you.
CS: No matter what, if you don t get the next opportunity that arises just keep going and keep working hard. I had a few knockbacks when I was growing up and you ve just got to keep at it, keep shining, and keep playing. That s the only way you will improve.
Chris Smalling's First Find was Dwayne Greenwood, aged 21, a midfielder and a Man United Fan. After an eye catching performance in SPARQ testing - most notably in his sprinting - Dwayne cemented his selection in the UK Chance Finals with a number of commanding performances in the 7 v 7 game rotations.
His SPARQ Rating of 90.10 puts him above the average score of a professional level 18 year old in the UK and on a par physically with Professional players in U21/developmental squads in the UK. His SPARQ score would put him inside the top 250 SPARQ Ratings in the professional game in the UK - a database containing over 10,000 SPARQ test scores - which is a fantastic achievement for a non-signed player.
If you think you have what it takes, and you have the hunger and the talent to succeed? Sign up http://go.nike.com/The_Chance
