Chris Smalling says he has nothing to prove to Gareth Southgate after his omission from the latest England squad and has lavished praise on Jose Mourinho.
The Manchester United centre-back was left out of Southgate's recent national squad for friendlies against Germany and Brazil, with the England boss suggesting he had concerns over Smalling's passing ability.
However, Smalling, who scored in United's 4-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend, has shrugged that snub off ahead of his side's Champions League tie with Basel on Wednesday. The 27-year-old, who has made 14 appearances for United so far this season, insisted that he was happy as long as he was playing regularly under Mourinho for his club.
"I don't feel like I really need to prove anything to Gareth because I play under one of the biggest and most successful managers in Jose and he's only going to pick the best players," Smalling said.
"While I'm playing regularly and he is happy I think ultimately if my season carries on like this and we have a successful season and our team still concedes very few goals, then I think it gives him maybe no choice in the summer but to pick me. "I've been getting a good run of games over these last few months and I'm feeling good and that's the feeling you want, you want to be able to play regular games and be a part of a successful team.
"So far we have been successful, it's just making sure we keep this going and improve on last year where we got two trophies and we want to at least beat that."
Smalling remains confident of being included in England's squad for the World Cup in Russia next summer as long as he continues to impress at club level. "I play for one of the biggest clubs and under one of the most successful managers in Jose and while that's the case I think, ultimately, it is your club form that decides whether you play at a World Cup because there aren't that many England games throughout the season," he added.
"While I'm playing regularly here and being a part of a very successful team I think that should show come the summer."
From SkySport
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