Chris Smalling’s opening response during an absorbing 45-minute conversation immediately shows that he is far from a typical footballer.
The 36-year-old progressed from non-league Maidstone to a Champions League final in only three years. His journey has since included 580 club appearances across three countries, with much of his career spent under Sir Alex Ferguson and Jose Mourinho. He also earned 31 England caps and collected trophies with Manchester United and Roma.
Smalling has now returned with his family to north-west England as he considers what comes next.
Although he already has ideas about life after retirement, his immediate priority is securing another club.
“I understand my body much better now than I did at 26, and my performances show that,” he explained.
“When I was younger, I remember Sir Alex introducing particular methods, including the yoga routine followed by Ryan Giggs.
“Once you pass 30, every season becomes more valuable, especially when you still love playing and remain passionate about the game.
“The time spent training is actually quite limited. Extending your career and recovering properly depend on habits that begin much earlier, from what I eat to what I do between sessions and even the supplements I take.
“Clubs conduct blood tests during pre-season and suggest certain changes. I decided to go further by undergoing detailed genetic testing. The results led me to alter many of my supplements.”
Smalling featured consistently for Al-Fayha in the Saudi Pro League last season, an achievement that gives him considerable pride.
He believes he still has more football to play. However, looking back 18 years, Smalling never expected his career to reach such heights.
“Professional football was not even a distant backup plan,” he remembered.
“I was representing Maidstone, but my intention was to attend university and study financial economics.
“My future appeared settled. I had completed my A levels and was searching for non-league teams near Leicester because I still wanted to continue playing.
“The opportunity only emerged near the end of the summer. I understood that earning an offer was unlikely, but I was determined to give myself the best possible chance.”
That opportunity came from Fulham. After watching Smalling in a single practice match, Roy Hodgson invited him into his office and offered him a contract.
“The trial did not even last an entire week,” Smalling said. “There was no time to process what was happening. I was completely stunned.”
It was not the final occasion on which Hodgson would place Smalling in a situation that demanded an immediate response.
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