The "Big Heart": "I'm very proud" to be with Roma - Smalling

Christopher Lloyd Smalling. An English professional footballer. Smalling plays for Italian Serie A side AS Roma on loan from English club Manchester United. He plays as a central defender. On 30 August 2019, Smalling joined Roma on loan for the 2019-20 season. Photo: Getty

Chris Smalling says he is ‘very proud’ to represent Roma, praising his loan club for its ‘clarity’ during the coronavirus pandemic.

Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante and
Watford captain Troy Deeney have chosen not to resume team training with their respective sides in England, and Smalling explained why everyone at Roma was onboard.

“I can understand everyone’s position if they’ve not got that full clarity,” he told The Times. “Everybody wants to be as informed as possible. Fortunately, here at Roma, I feel like they have that clarity. They’ve kept us in the loop. “We had regular meetings with the CEO [Guido Fienga], talking about different measures, and keeping us up to date. “That’s been very useful to know their discussions with the league and the doctors and they are relaying that straight back to us. “That’s why I feel like a lot of players here are comfortable about coming back, knowing the different measures. “It’s all been listed, but if some players at some clubs who don’t have that all in place yet then I can understand them being a bit fearful until that’s put in place. I’d want the same as well."

The Giallorossi have become renowned for their work outside of football, from promoting missing children to delivering supplies throughout the health crisis. “Roma have a very big heart. I noticed that quickly here. Roma do help people a lot, they help a lot outside of the norm. That’s great. “They really set an example, and other clubs have got on board. I’m very proud to be associated with Roma because of all their initiatives.” The defender has spent the season on loan from Manchester United, so how has he found the experience? “Some English players have gone abroad but not many. It was a challenge that I wanted to take. I’m someone who definitely lives by not having any regrets.

"I like new things maybe out of my comfort zone and show people that anything is possible.”
Football-Italia