To be frank, I can see the argument for Chris Smalling. Even at 36 he brings a lot you don't get from younger players: organisation, communication and that calm presence at the back. If the club were looking for a short-term fix with real leadership, he's the sort of name that makes sense on paper.
What he'd bring to the side
Smalling has played at the highest level in England and spent four years at Roma, so there is proven pedigree there. It's not only about tackles and headers. It's about positioning, organising a back four and guiding teammates through phases of play. Those verbal cues and small adjustments help defenders around him — especially younger centre-halves still learning how to read the game at pace.
Where he fits tactically
He'd slot in as an experienced organiser rather than a long-term project. You can imagine him directing the shape, calling runners and dealing with the noisy moments where composure counts. To be fair, that sort of presence can make Fernandez and Makhanya better simply by freeing them to focus on their roles, not constantly covering for indecision.
A one-year gamble with upside
I know fans worry about age. But a one-year deal limits the risk and gives the manager a seasoned option for tight SPFL games and European nights if needed. Fitness and desire matter more than the number on the back of the shirt. If he still looks after himself and wants to play, he can be infectious in the dressing room — setting standards in training and matches that younger lads pick up on.
Would he be short of offers? Probably. But if the club could bring him in on sensible terms, it feels like a sensible, pragmatic move. I would back it — so long as it's realistic and doesn't block the pathway for the younger centre-halves when it's time for them to step up.
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