>>63031032>>63030940The thing is, Jones and Smalling were playing like most CBs play at 27 when they were 18 and 21. Therefore, everyone expected them to be GOATs when they got older.
They have both improved, especially Smalling. But it's not been the huge, dramatic GOAT level everyone thought. Therefore people are misconstruing this as 'poor' or 'below standard'.
The reality is that Smalling is currently, one of the top CBs in the world and Jones is arguably in the top 5 CBs in the premier league. If Smalling's passing, and play on the ball was a little bit better I don't think it would be in doubt that he would be THE BEST defender in the world.
They are top class and people forget they're still young. I think the Messi/Ronaldo/Rooney generation ruined people's perceptions about how good footballers are 'meant' to be at 19-24...
They don't seem to get it that Rooney, Martial, Messi etc. are one in a millions. They are the exceptions, not the rule.
The rule is that footballers generally peak at 27.
Wingers = maybe a bit younger, say 25 because they tend to lose that 'explosiveness'
Defenders = maybe a bit older, say 29/30
Smalling is 4 years away from his peak.
