Former England defender Chris Smalling signs with Saudi club Al-Fayha
Former England defender Chris Smalling has signed with Saudi Arabian club Al-Fayha to end his stay at Roma after five seasonsSEPTEMBER 3 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
CHRIS SMALLING #5 - DEFENDER - AL-FAYHA FC
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0.1 SPG
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Starts midweek Smalling (thigh) had one clearance and one block in Thursday's 2-0 defeat versus Bayer Leverkusen.
Impact Smalling was picked over Evan N'Dicka following a small muscular problem but didn't look great like the rest of the rearguard in the loss. He'll compete with a few teammates to partner with Gianluca Mancini the rest of the way.
MAY 3 • ROTOWIRE
Available against Bayer Leverkusen Smalling (thigh) has returned to full training ahead of Thursday's clash with Bayer Leverkusen, La Gazzetta dello Sport informed.
Impact Smalling will be an option after missing one game but will be further addressed to see whether he's fit enough start, perhaps in a three-man line. He has notched 11 clearances, three tackles (two won) and three blocks in his last four appearances, with one clean sheet.
MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE
Out versus Napoli Smalling avoided major injuries but won't be an option versus Napoli on Saturday, Gianluca Di Marzio informed.
Impact Smalling is dealing with right adductor soreness and will be re-evaluated ahead of the next matches. Presumptive starter Evan N'Dicka (chest) is coming back in this one and will likely partner with Gianluca Mancini.
APRIL 27 • ROTOWIRE
Subs off versus Udinese Smalling had one clearance and drew one foul before leaving Thursday's 2-1 win over Udinese due to a groin issue, Sky Italy reported.
Impact Smalling couldn't finish the 18-minute resumption of the game due to a physical problem. He's tentatively doubtful for Sunday's away game versus Napoli. Dean Huijsen would be the next man up since Diego Llorente is suspended and Evan N'Dicka (chest) is out.
APRIL 26 • ROTOWIRE
Doesn't feature against Lecce Smalling (ankle) didn't play in Monday's 0-0 draw with Lecce.
Impact Smalling was available after a small injury, but the coach leaned on other options in the back. He has had a very limited role in recent months. He'll have a little more chances of featuring against Lazio since Evan N'Dicka will be suspended, but he's not the frontrunner to start.
APRIL 2 • ROTOWIRE
Finds bench spot Smalling (ankle) is on the bench for Monday's match against Lecce.
Impact Smalling is making his return against Lecce, ending a three-match streak on the bench due to an ankle issue. The defender will hope to now put his injury concerns behind him, as he has only played three times since October due to his ongoing battle with injuries. He will also look to make the starting XI in the club's next contest, as he was a starter to begin the season.
APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE
Set to be back versus Lecce Smalling (ankle) reprised training fully Friday, Sky Italy informed.
Impact Smalling needed the entire break to recover from an ankle problem but is poised to be available for Monday's clash with Lecce. He has played thrice since returning from a major knee injury, posting one interception, three clearances and five blocks.
MARCH 30 • ROTOWIRE
Will miss Sassuolo game Smalling (ankle) will remain sidelined for Sunday's match versus Sassuolo, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported.
Impact Smalling hasn't shaken off a minor ankle injury and will be sidelined for the third contest in a row. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, Diego Llorente and Dean Huijsen will once again be the top options in the back.
MARCH 16 • ROTOWIRE
Not returning against Brighton Smalling (ankle) will remain sidelined for Thursday's away game versus Brighton, Corriere dello Sport informed.
Impact Smalling has continued to work on the side after skipping the Fiorentina game and won't be an option. He has had a limited role after coming back from a major knee injury.
MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE
Ruled out for Fiorentina tilt Smalling will skip Sunday's clash with Fiorentina due to an ankle contusion, Corriere dello Sport relayed.
Impact Smalling got hurt in training and will attempt to recuperate quickly as the problem isn't too serious. He has started just once and appeared thrice in the last seven games since coming back from a previous knee injury.
MARCH 9 • ROTOWIRE
Unused versus Inter Smalling (knee) didn't feature in Saturday's 4-2 loss to Inter.
Impact Smalling was back on the bench following a lengthy absence, but the coach leaned on healthier players in a difficult clash. He'll probably begin getting minutes in more favorable situations. Gianluca Mancini, Diego Llorente, and Dean Huijsen will stay atop the depth chart until he's completely ready.
FEBRUARY 10 • ROTOWIRE
Cleared for Inter game Smalling (knee) will be an option versus Inter on Saturday, coach Daniele De Rossi implied.
Impact Smalling has been ramping up for a week or so and is poised to be a bench option in his first game back after months. He'll be gradually reinserted into the rotation, and it might be a while before he recaptures his previous major role. His return will impact all their other defenders and will give the coach a chance to use a three-man line, especially with Evan N'Dicka returning from AFCON next week. He has played just thrice this campaign due to patellar tendonitis, tallying four clearances, three blocks, and one tackle.
FEBRUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE
Close to coming back Smalling (knee) will return against either Inter or Feyenoord, coach Daniele De Rossi informed.
Impact Smalling has resumed training almost fully this week and is finally out of the woods after being sidelined for five months but a patellar tendon injury that proved to be more severe than anticipated. He'll be eased into action at first, but he'll probably recapture a major role once close to 100 percent.
FEBRUARY 4 • ROTOWIRE
Smalling dismisses Mourinho's incapable of 'playing through pain' criticism Chris Smalling has dismissed Jose Mourinho’s criticism that he “isn’t capable of playing through pain” and has reinforced his commitment to...
JANUARY 18 • THEATHLETIC.COM
No timetable to return Smalling (thigh) has spent the break rehabbing and won't be back in the next two-to-three weeks, and perhaps longer, Jose Mourinho informed.
Impact Smalling reportedly switched up his treatments, but he's back to square one on his patellar tendon injury. The coach added he wasn't sure whether he'd return before the end of the year, so they'll continue to roll with Diego Llorente and Evan N'Dicka for the time being.
NOVEMBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Stars new rehab plan Smalling switched up his treatment and could return in early December, Il Messaggero reported.
Impact Smalling consulted with a different specialist to try solving a lingering patellar tendon injury and will need more time to get healthy. He might need to ramp up in training, further extending his absence, considering the extended layoff. Gianluca Mancini, Evan N'Dicka, and Diego Llorente have started consistently in the back while he's out, with Bryan Cristante as the emergency option.
NOVEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Will not be back soon Smaller had a consult with a specialist in London earlier this week and hasn't practiced since, Corriere dello Sport informed.
Impact Smaller seemed on the verge of returning in the past two games as he had gone into full training, but he hasn't shaken off a tendon inflammation. He won't play before the next break and could miss time past it, the publication adds. Diego Llorente and Evan N'Dicka will keep starting, with Bryan Cristante as an emergency option.
NOVEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Will miss Inter clash Smalling (thigh) hasn't been called up for Sunday's game versus Inter, La Gazzetta dello Sport relayed.
Impact Smalling will continue to be held out as the team is taking it slowly because of a lingering tendon injury. Diego Llorente will likely team up with Gianluca Mancini and Evan N'Dicka in the back Sunday.
OCTOBER 28, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Still out in Europa League Smalling (thigh) wasn't an option for Thursday's match versus Slavia Prague.
Impact Smalling was unavailable for the second game in a row despite returning to practice. Jose Mourinho quipped: "Which Sunday?" when asked whether he could play versus Inter. He's unlikely to be in the XI even if he's fit enough to make the squad.
OCTOBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Unlikely to play versus Slavia Prague Smalling (thigh) "participated in the first part of practice and nothing more. There's no plan for him for Thursday," Jose Mourinho relayed.
Impact Smalling is slowly ramping up in practice, but he has yet to log a full training session. Despite the coach's words, he might be able to make the bench in the midweek tilt, Sky Italy informed.
OCTOBER 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Will not return against Monza Smalling (thigh) "trained with us for the first time Friday, when we did some light work, but he's unavailable against Monza. He's dealing with a kind of injury that will force him...
Impact Smalling is improving but won't be back for the first game after the break, and he might struggle to feature in consecutive games once he returns. Diego Llorente is back for this one, allowing Bryan Cristante to return to the midfield if selected in the starting XI.
OCTOBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Sidelined for Cagliari bout Smalling (thigh) didn't make the trip to Cagliari, Sky Italy informed.
Impact Smalling was a long-shot to recover because of a sore tendon and will skip the seventh consecutive game. There's optimism he'll be good to go after the break, even though the issue could linger. Evan N'Dicka has consistently filled in for him but hasn't been great.
OCTOBER 7, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Likely out for next two games Smalling (thigh) "would need a miracle to be available against Cagliari Sunday," Jose Mourinho announced.
Impact Smalling has missed five consecutive matches due to a thigh injury and is likely to be given the break to get into acceptable shape. Bryan Cristante, Evan N'Dicka, and Gianluca Mancini played in the back with him and Diego Llorente sidelined.
OCTOBER 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
Will miss Genoa clash Smalling won't return in Thursday's game versus Genoa and might be held out until the next international break, Corriere dello Sport informs.
Impact Smalling is nursing tendonitis and not a proper muscular injury, and resting is the only way for it to heal. He'll be assessed on a game-to-game basis, but the staff is leaning toward shutting him down for a while. Evan N'Dicka has filled in for him in the back so far.
SEPTEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE
