AS Roma defender Chris Smalling has responded to former manager Jose Mourinho’s claims, refuting suggestions that he is unwilling to play through injuries. This comes in the wake of Mourinho’s recent dismissal from the Giallorossi.
Following his sacking earlier this week, Mourinho had insinuated that Smalling “holds something back” and implied that certain individuals outside the realm of high-performance athletes possess a higher pain threshold.
However, with Mourinho out of the picture, Smalling took to Instagram to set the record straight, emphasizing his commitment to Roma, the club that played a pivotal role in rejuvenating his career after a challenging stint at Manchester United.
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“Let me start by clarifying that I have never asked to, nor even contemplated, leaving this great club,” Smalling stated on his Instagram story.
Acknowledging the difficulties he faced during a period of time away from his teammates due to setbacks, Smalling asserted his commitment to the team’s success.
“No footballer wants to spend their days in a treatment room, and this period of time away from my teammates has challenged me, with setback after setback,” he shared.
The defender highlighted his willingness to prioritize the team’s needs, emphasizing that his focus remains on contributing significantly in the latter part of the season and for seasons to come.
Addressing the issue of his treatment plan, Smalling clarified, “Guided only by specialists, I have been open to all solutions, short and long, and any insinuation that I have dictated a treatment plan is false.”
Contrary to popular belief, Smalling affirmed that painkillers, under the guidance of medical experts, are part of his recovery plan, dispelling any misconceptions about his commitment to regaining full fitness.
“With surgery not an option proposed by any specialist I have engaged with, I have to trust the expertise that guides my recovery plan which, contrary to popular belief, does include painkillers. A lot of them, in fact,” he added.