---
title: "Everton: Toffees make Chris Smalling enquiry"
canonical: "https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-toffees-make-chris-smalling-enquiry/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "David Comerford"
section: "Everton"
published: "2021-06-29T13:31:56Z"
modified: "2021-06-29T13:31:56Z"
---

# Everton: Toffees make Chris Smalling enquiry

**Everton have enquired about the possibility of signing Chris Smalling from AS Roma, according to Italian newspaper Il Tempo (via [Sport Witness](https://sportwitness.co.uk/everton-interest-player-continues-pushed-player-sale-brands-likely-cautious-now/)).**

### The lowdown

Smalling joined Roma permanently last summer in an initial [£13.6million](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54426435) deal after spending a season on loan in the Italian capital.

A series of injuries limited Smalling to just [13 Serie A starts](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Show/Chris-Smalling), with a further three substitute appearances.

Smalling averaged 1.8 interceptions, 2.8 clearances and 1.6 successful aerial duels per game when he was fit (via [WhoScored](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/71345/Show/Chris-Smalling)).

The Englishman, of course, previously played for Manchester United, where he racked up a total of [323 appearances](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-smalling/leistungsdaten/spieler/103427).

After a previous spell at Fulham, he’s got [more than 200 Premier League games](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/chris-smalling/leistungsdaten/spieler/103427) under his belt.

\[freshpress-quiz id=”359481″\]

### The latest

The report states that new Roma boss Jose Mourinho, who managed Smalling during his own stint at Old Trafford, is unconvinced by the 31-year-old.

A Premier League return could be on the cards if the ‘right offer’ arrives, though Everton’s interest hasn’t progressed that far just yet.

### The verdict

Everton do need a new centre-back this summer if they’re to compete for a top-six finish, with Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey showing potential to be a really good pairing but little quality depth after that.

An elite-level defender will elevate the whole backline, but unfortunately Smalling doesn’t fit that criteria.

While he may be a solid player, he wouldn’t represent an upgrade on Keane or Godfrey based on his troubles in Rome – the very fact that Mourinho doesn’t want him for a second stint should speak volumes too.

The Blues need to be showing more ambition, and having a manager of [Rafael Benitez’s](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11671/12342325/rafael-benitez-everton-set-to-appoint-former-liverpool-manager-as-carlo-ancelottis-replacement) calibre should mean they maintain strong pulling power even after Carlo Ancelotti’s exit.

**In other news, [fans raged at this Marcel Brands news](https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-marcel-brands-rafael-benitez-carlo-ancelotti-real-madrid-marcel-brands/).**