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Chris Smalling has revealed he will strongly consider staying at Roma if his loan spell from Manchester United is a success.
Smalling arrived at Roma on a dry loan towards the end of the transfer window, after the club's pursuits of Toby Alderweireld, Dejan Lovren and Daniele Rugani hit dead ends. In doing so, the 29-year-old became just the second Englishman to ever play for Roma, following on from Ashley Cole's ill-fated spell four years ago. At his unveiling press conference today, Smalling outlined his reasons for coming to Roma, revealing what he wants to achieve with the club. “I think Serie A has always been a goal of mine to play in one day, because as a defender if you get the chance to experience Serie A you want to do it,” he said. “I think I’ve played a lot in the Premier League and now I can bring my qualities that I’ve learned to Italy, and that is something I am looking forward to.” Smalling was chosen because of his suitability to Paulo Fonseca's preference for a high line, and the coach has made a positive first impression on his new centre-back. “I spoke to him before I came to the club and he told me his goals, what he wanted from me. It was something that we totally agreed on. “Coming in and having my first sessions, this week, I can see it is a team that wants to press, that wants to be aggressive. “He wants a defender that is aggressive and can cope with the runs in behind and, yes, I think it is a perfect fit. It’s been a great first week of training and I am looking forward to getting stuck in. “There is a lot of responsibility on the defence as a whole and the centre-backs too, but that is something I enjoy. “I like to push up high, play high up the pitch, and the manager wants us to be high. I am a defender that likes to defend on the front foot, so I think this is the perfect type of football for me and hopefully it allows me to show my real qualities.” After playing in the Champions League last season, both Roma and Smalling are returning to the Europa League this year. It's a tournament he has already won with United, and like fellow new arrival Henrikh Mkhitaryan, the former Fulham man is confident his new club can also go all the way in the competition. “I think this club definitely has a chance. We will be one of the favourites in the competition, obviously there are a few other clubs too, but Roma will be among the favourites. “It has been great to have won it previously, but it would be even greater to win it here in Italy.” While his move was arranged quite hastily, Smalling has no regrets about accepting the offer, and hopes that he can experience Italian football for more than just this season. “I think this is an opportunity that came to me that I was very interested in, and I was very eager to come. It happened very quickly. “I am very focused on the next game, getting up to speed with training and learning the manager’s methods. And then hopefully I want to have a very good season. “After that we will see. To have a chance at a big club, if it prolongs and the club is happy and I am happy, then I can definitely see a longer-term future in Italy. “I am not a young player who has to prove himself, but I like new challenges. I had a great time in Manchester, but the opportunity to experience a new league and with a new club like Roma… “I don’t like to live my life with my regrets, and this was a big opportunity. At Manchester we had high expectations, but here in Rome there are high expectations too. And that’s not easy, but it’s also a great challenge. “It’s motivating, and now I have the chance to prove that the club was right to put their faith in me. “The club has been great with me, helpful with everything I need from house-hunting to everything else, and that has immediately put me at ease. “So, I had no doubts at all. I’ve heard great things about Italy, and Rome itself, and it is something I was always looking forward to and will definitely savour. “In England we don’t have many players who do go abroad, but I’ve always had a desire deep down to experience this and to have the opportunity to go to a big club with big aspirations, like I said before, is something I look forward to. “I like to live my life with no regrets, so I am looking forward to build on this journey and make the most of it. “And these two weeks of the international break have been the perfect opportunity for me to get to know the players, to get to know the style of play the manager wants to have, and to be ready for when Serie A games start again.” Smalling will be hoping to make his debut when Roma return from the international break, with a home match against Sassuolo on 15th September potentially giving him the opportunity to make his Stadio Olimpico bow.
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