Smalling Picks His All-time Greats

After missing 12 matches, Chris Smalling returned to action when he came on for the closing minutes of Manchester United's controlled 2-0 away win over West Bromwich Albion.

Earlier this season, the accomplished centre-back was the subject of this 'Football and Me' interview for United Review, the official match programme, in which he revealed his choice for the greatest defender ever to grace the game, pinpointed the career moment he'd most like to revisit and recalled the first match he attended as a child...

Who is the best defender of all time?
I always liked Paolo Maldini. He has been the one. Obviously, I’ve not had the chance to watch him live but I’ve seen many of his games and clips of him in action over the years and he had a great career.

If you could go back and relive one moment from your career what would it be?
The moment when I lifted the Premier League trophy for the first time [in May 2011]. I'd freeze that moment in time, and savour it, really take it in.

Which was the first game you ever attended?
The first game I ever attended was Gillingham against Bradford. Gillingham were my local club at the time and my mum’s friend got tickets for my brother and I. I can’t remember how old I was but I was quite young and it was my first proper game. Going into the stadium with all those fans around us, the atmosphere, was something my brother and I have not forgotten.

Can you recall the first match you ever played in?
Going way back, my very first team was Walderslade Boys, probably their Under-8s. I can’t remember who we played against but there was a pitch we could walk to and from, just half a mile from the road we lived.

Would you rather make a match-winning tackle or score a match-winning goal?
It’s going to have to be a match-winning goal. As much as I like to defend and last-ditch tackles are almost like goals, they aren’t goals. There is no better feeling than to score and celebrate afterwards.

Who is English football's greatest-ever player?
It’s a tough one. Going from what I can remember, it’s probably Paul Scholes because I grew up watching him and then had the opportunity to play with him. You could just see what a tremendous player he was so I’d have to opt for Paul Scholes.