‘He’s the strongest defender I’ve played against’- Osimhen reveals his toughest opponent

Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen has praised AS Roma defender Chris Smalling, calling him “one of the strongest defenders” he has faced in his career.

Osimhen has been outstanding over the past 12 months at Napoli, scoring 20 goals in all competitions. He has been particularly impressive in Serie A, where he is the second-highest scorer in the league with 14 goals.

Osimhen’s success in Serie A has come against some of the best defenders in the world, but he has revealed that Smalling is one of the most difficult defenders he has come up against.

In an interview with Twitch, Osimhen said: “Romero [from Tottenham, ex-Atalanta] is a really good defender. I had some difficult moments dealing with him. The other defender is Smalling – one of the strongest I’ve come across.”

Smalling is a well-respected defender in Serie A. He is known for his strength, aerial ability, and positional sense. He is also a good leader on the pitch, and he has helped Roma to become a more solid defensive unit.

Osimhen’s praise for Smalling is a testament to the defender’s quality. Osimhen is one of the best strikers in Serie A, and if he says that Smalling is one of the strongest defenders he has faced, then it must be true.

Smalling’s impact on Roma

Smalling has had a major impact on Roma since joining the club from Manchester United in 2019. He has helped to improve their defensive record, and he has also been a vocal leader on the pitch.

In the 2021/22 season, Roma kept 16 clean sheets in Serie A, which was the joint-second-best record in the league. Smalling played a key role in this improvement, as he was one of the most consistent defenders in the league.

Smalling is also a valuable asset to Roma in attack. He is a good passer of the ball, and he is also a threat from set pieces. He scored three goals in all competitions for Roma last season, including two in Serie A.

Smalling’s physical attributes

One of the things that makes Smalling such a difficult defender to play against is his physical attributes. He is 6’4″ tall and he is very strong. This makes him difficult to beat in the air, and it also makes it difficult for attackers to get past him.

Smalling’s positional sense

Another thing that makes Smalling such a good defender is his positional sense. He is always aware of his surroundings, and he is always in the right place to make a tackle or interception.

Smalling’s leadership

Smalling is also a good leader on the pitch. He is always communicating with his teammates, and he is always organizing the defense. This makes him a valuable asset to any team.

Conclusion

Osimhen’s praise for Smalling is a testament to the defender’s quality. Smalling is a strong, physical, intelligent, and experienced defender who has had a major impact on Roma since joining the club in 2019. He is one of the reasons why Roma have become such a force to be reckoned with in recent years.