Chris Smalling: Analysing his progress at Roma this season - the perfect transfer for Arsenal? The answer for England?

You can soon forget about a player once they leave these shores. But Smalling has gone to Italy and been revitalised.

Harry Maguire aside, there is arguably another spot up for grabs (or two depending on formation) in Gareth Southgate's starting XI, with Joe Gomez another leading contender as John Stones and Michael Keane continue to struggle to deliver consistently for both club and country.

You would have put Smalling in that bracket too 12 months ago. The odd injury, inconsistent performances and managerial changes meant he had been in and out of the Manchester United team.

With that in mind, it was surprising to see only David De Gea (383) and Antonio Valencia (339) had played for the Red Devils more in the last decade than Smalling (323).

After falling out of the first team picture and down the pecking order at Old Trafford under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and following Maguire's £80million arrival, his career started to plateau and it became clear that a switch may be best for Smalling.

And now, after nearly a season in Serie A with Roma - a loan deal which saw United pocket £2.7million - the 30-year-old has a new lease of life.

His move to Italy is only temporary, for now. Will it become permanent? Is there a way back for Man United? Should he be snapped up by their Premier League rivals? And what about his chances with England?

We track his progress with the Giallorossi this term and why Arsenal should be among those sides trying to secure his services.

This season...

The stats

Smalling has impressed for Paulo Fonesca's side this term.

He has been an ever-present in the centre of a five-man defence, often alongside former Spurs flop Federico Fazio and fellow 2019 arrival Gianluca Mancini (no relation to Italy boss Roberto).

He has even worn the captain's armband on occasions and appears to be comfortable in his new environment both on and off the pitch, telling the BBC in February:

"I've been more than happy with my first half of the season, it's now just making sure that we kick on and finish the season strongly because we have a lot to play for.

"Coming over here and trying to hit ground running with football was the priority. But my family settling in and me learning the language and enjoying the culture, it's something you need to make the most of. My family and I definitely are."

His Roma side are currently fifth in the Serie A table, three points adrift of the top four with 12 games to play, while they remain in the Europa League, with a round of 16 double header against Spanish side Sevilla once the game gets back underway.

There was always going to be a question over how he would adapt to the Italian game, with a sturdy back line and tactical discipline vital.

So intelligence and adaptability was key, but that was not going to be difficult for Smalling. Intelligence? No problem - after all, he was set to study financial economics at university before making the move into professional football with Fulham in 2008.

And his background shows his willingness to learn. Coming from non-league football, he has had the unconventional rise and experience you cannot buy in academy football. From Maidstone to Man United and England via Fulham, Smalling has been a student of the game.

So he has had to do that once more and take new information on board in Italy and it is fair to say the move has revitalised his career.