Chris Smalling celebrates England debut
Monday 05 September 2011By ESFA Office
Last Updated:
10/02/2021 11:49:14
Chris Smalling
Chris Smalling’s meteoric rise up the footballing ladder took another giant step when Fabio Capello handed the former England Under 18 Schoolboy his senior England debut in the European Championship qualifyer against Bulgaria on Friday evening.
Although Smalling was not selected to play in his preferred Centre Back position, he still gave an impressive account of himself at right back, which drew glowing comments from some quarters of the national press.
Just three years’ ago, Chris was receiving his A-Level results at Chatham Grammar School in Kent, as he contemplated a future at university before he was made a stunning offer by Fulham to play Premier League football on a full-time contract.
Chris largely has Kent County Schools’ FA to thank for his rise to prominence, as they submitted him for England Under 18 Schools’ trials where he was selected and later spotted at Wembley Stadium by several Premier League managers and scouts as England beat Scotland Under 18 Schoolboys 2-0, in front of 20,000 spectators on Saturday 26 April 2008.
Fabio Capello looks likely to hand Smalling his second senior England cap at Wembley Stadium on Tuesday evening, as they take on Wales. If England win it would called practically guarantee them a place at the European Championship Finals next summer.
Chris Smalling England U18 Schools’ Profile
England Schools U18 Results 2008
