Spurs eye free transfer for ace Mourinho said should be in England WC squad

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Tottenham are reportedly considering a move to bring Roma defender Chris Smalling back to the Premier League next summer when his contract ends in June – a player Jose Mourinho said should have been in England’s World Cup squad.

London-born Smalling, 33, has excelled for Roma after being sold to the Italian side – initially on loan in 2019. He has gone on to play 117 times in all competitions in three-and-a-bit seasons. In that time, Roma have kept 34 clean sheets.

Smalling has scored 10 goals and helped Roma win the Europa Conference League, their first ever European title. But the defender’s long-term future is now in doubt. His £83,000-a-week deal is due to come to an end in June 2023.

Non-Italian clubs can pursue a deal from January 1, if Roma do not tie up a new deal beforehand. There is an option in his deal, but it is related to performance. CMW claimed over the weekend that Spurs want Smalling on a free transfer.

Perhaps, Spurs might be even more convinced by their old manager Mourinho’s recent verdict on the ex-Fulham star. Mourinho said he felt Smalling deserved a place in the England side, ahead of the World Cup – which he did not get.

“He was taught to play in a two-man defence, but now he’s perfect to play in a three-man backline. If I were the coach of a national team, I would do anything to have someone like him at my disposal,” Mourinho said, as per The Sun.

Tottenham considering Smalling: Should have been in World Cup squad

Do Tottenham need Smalling? Well, they have Eric Dier as the main option in the middle of their back three. Cristian Romero on the right, Ben Davies on the left. Clement Lenglet, on loan from Barcelona, covers Dier and Davies.

Davinson Sanchez is able to cover Romero and Dier. But they are better on either side of Dier, not as direct cover for the England international. Joe Rodon is more suited to that role, but he is out on loan at French side Stade Rennais.

Does Rodon have a future at Tottenham? Probably not, even if he is impressing at the Ligue 1 side. So, if Smalling is happy to play cover for Dier in the middle of the defence – then yes, he could be ideal for Antonio Conte’s side.