Chris Smalling, the 34-year-old English centre-back, is on the verge of departing AS Roma this summer. The veteran defender joined Roma from Manchester United in 2019, initially on loan. However, his time at the Italian club has been marred by injury problems, limiting him to just twelve competitive appearances this season.
Despite being under contract with Roma until 2025, transfer journalist Nicolò Schira has revealed that Smalling’s future lies away from the club. Schira reports, “Chris Smalling could leave AS Roma during the summer transfer window. His contract expires in 2025, but he is not in (Daniele) De Rossi’s plans for the next season.”
This news comes as a blow to Smalling, who had hoped to make a lasting impact at Roma. However, it seems that the club’s management has different ideas for their defensive lineup moving forward. With Smalling’s departure seemingly imminent, it remains to be seen which club will secure his services for the upcoming season.
Smalling’s time at Roma has been a mixed bag. While he has shown glimpses of his defensive prowess, his injury woes have hindered his ability to make a consistent impact on the pitch. As a result, it appears that Roma is ready to move on from the experienced defender and explore other options to strengthen their backline.
For Smalling, this news may come as a disappointment, but it also presents an opportunity for a fresh start elsewhere. With his contract set to expire in 2025, there will likely be interest from other clubs eager to bolster their defensive ranks with a player of Smalling’s caliber.
As the summer transfer window approaches, all eyes will be on Smalling’s next move. Will he remain in Italy or seek a new challenge in a different league? Only time will tell. One thing is for certain though – Smalling’s departure from Roma will mark the end of an era for the English defender and open up new possibilities for both him and the club.
