From Manchester to Rome – Chris Smalling’s five seasons with AS Roma

Following nine seasons at Manchester United, veteran defender Chris Smalling surprised many in 2019 by opting to move abroad and join AS Roma on loan.

Despite arriving to skepticism, the Englishman eventually won over Giallorossi supporters thanks to his superb performances over the course of his five seasons in the Italian capital.

He collected over 150 appearances across all competitions and proved himself vital within the squad’s ranks—considered the team’s undisputed defensive leader.

During his half-decade stint, he faced a series of injuries, leading many top betting sites to lower Roma’s odds of success, knowing they would be without their best defender.

Breaking Down Smalling’s AS Roma Seasons

Let’s start with a quick overview of Smalling’s stats during his five seasons with Roma.

2019/20 Season

• Appearances: 37

• Goals: 3

• Assists: 2

After ending his nine-year stint with the Red Devils, Smalling shined during his first season in Italy. He quickly secured himself a starting spot under Paulo Fonseca and ultimately established himself as one of the strongest defenders in Serie A.

2020/21 Season

• Appearances: 21

• Goals: 0

• Assists: 1

Eager to remain in Rome, Smalling re-joined the Giallorossi on a permanent deal the following summer. However, he suffered a sophomore and couldn’t live up to the high standards many saw the previous season.

2021/22 Season

• Appearances: 38

• Goals: 4

• Assists: 0

Reunited with former Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho, the veteran rediscovered his form in year three. He helped Roma secure the UEFA Conference League title—snapping the club’s nearly two-decade trophy drought.

2022/23 Season

• Appearances: 47

• Goals: 3

• Assists: 1

In another solid campaign, Smalling reaffirmed his place as the undisputed leader of Roma’s defence. His performances once again helped guide Roma to a European final—though, this one lacked a fairytale ending. Facing Sevilla in the Europa League final, the Giallorossi fell in penalties after being denied a clear hand-ball penalty, which referee Michael Taylor missed.

2023/24 Season

• Appearances: 12

• Goals: 0

• Assists: 0

After several solid seasons, Smalling’s final season in Rome ended in frustrating fashion. The Englishman suffered a knee injury in early September against Milan, which forced him to miss nearly six months of action.

Defensive Dominance

Smalling was a very steady, decent defender during his time at Roma. A few highlights regarding his defensive prowess and abilities include:

• An average match rating of nearly 7.0 during his Roma career.

• Impressive versality which allowed him to perform well in either a three or four man defence alongside the likes of Gianluca Mancini and Roger Ibañez.

• Smalling’s aerial range gives him a lot of run and gun from set pieces on both sides of the ball.

His strong showings even allowed him to win over his former Manchester United boss, Jose Mourinho. The Special One frequently praised Smalling’s defending and leadership from the back after many believe Mou’s arrival signaled an end to the Englishman’s time at the club.

Achievements with Roma

In his four seasons with AS Roma, Smalling contributed to some memorable achievements:

• Led Roma’s defence and helped guide the team to two European finals.

• Played a big part in Roma winning the UEFA Conference League title in 2022—marking the club’s first European trophy in sixty years.

• Earned an alternate position in Serie A’s 2021/22 Team of the Season.

• Statistically he was Roma’s best defender during his tenure—leading the team in average clearances and interceptions per game.

His performance in the Italian capital quieted the skeptics who initially questioned his acquisition by the Giallorossi.

Injury Setbacks

Smalling was a beast on the pitch, but injuries came along for pieces of his AS Roma career.

• Muscular issues in his legs and groin kept him out of big chunks of games in 2020/21 and 2021/22 seasons.

• He sustained an especially serious injury in Spring 2022 that left him out of Roma’s Conference League semi-final.

• In his final season, Smalling missed the majority of the 2023/24 campaign following an injury he suffered in early September in a loss to Milan.

While never serious, these injuries meant Roma’s best defender wasn’t always available.

Saudi Pro League

Due in part to his big wages and increased injuries, Smalling’s reign in Rome came to an end this past summer—officially closing his time at Roma.

In his five seasons, he collected 10 goals, 4 assists, and 155 total appearances for the club. Several clubs registered interest in the 34 year-old’s services, and he eventually agreed to sign a two-year deal with Saudi Pro League side Al-Fayha.