Chris Smalling admits to missing Manchester United, but is happy to no longer be “part of the furniture” after sealing a season-long loan move to Roma.
Severing ties with United - albeit only for 12 months initially - has not been easy, but a man with 31 England caps to his name is enjoying the experience of leaving his comfort zone.
“I do [miss Man Utd] because I was there for so many years and I was used to be being part of the furniture there,” Smalling told talkSPORT.
“But I am enjoying my new chapter, and hopefully I can keep affecting performances on the pitch and we can have a successful season.
“But right now I’m really enjoying being in Italy.”
For now, the classy centre-half is focused very much on the present and not what his future may hold for club and country.
Smalling added: “I’m starting to pick up things the manager is saying in Italian, and even with the players I’m lucky as quite a few of them speak English.
“I’m definitely picking up a lot of football phrases and a lot of basic phrases that are helping me interact with the team on and off the pitch.
“I am feeling very settled; my family is over here and the dogs are over here, so everyone is settled. When my family are happy and I am happy it shows on the pitch.
“Overall I can’t ask for much more in terms of my stay, which has been short so far, and at the minute my focus is on making sure this team has a settled season.
“The manager’s targets are not just about getting back in the Champions League – it is about winning something.
“That is where my full focus is, and come the end of the season when we’ve won something and achieved something we can see where it goes.
“Right now it is all about focus on the pitch.”
Zaeacklmy
0
Smalling talking about furniture, is he a carpenter at United? am lost here
mesanoru
0
Smalling. The best Manchester United defender before Maguire.
simdlnot
0
we the fans never missed you cuz we have Harry nd lindelof even M. Rojo has raised his game so you can extend ur stay in Italy
So cold come on.
hukclmty
1
we the fans never missed you cuz we have Harry nd lindelof even M. Rojo has raised his game so you can extend ur stay in Italy
darraghmurray2007
0
who needs smalling???
MCqueen11
1
What furniture are you talking about AF??..
andymbappe
1
I think Smalling should play were his instincts last and that is definitely Roma
Hipacdmrs
0
when are the dogs part of the family this generation or society is roten to the core
mzeereal
5
Being part of furniture. the phrase is deep. it means he wasn't having full time of play. Actually Ole has plans for many players.. Ole loan out smalling bcs he knows he has a bright future and he doesn't want to waste his career.. Ole should just loan Lingard also to help him improve bcs he doesn't fit that squad .. Signing experience players is the main thing also we need to add on and keep moving💥💥
Joedimnpsz
0
smalling seem happy..manu should sell him i want him to return but if he is bench that won't do..italy his playing more and freely and happy..
Rammy-Asante
2
No longer part of the furniture, haha, funny but true ooo. By the way, if he continues with his current form, then when he returns, lindolof will be part of the furniture instead