The Italian tactician has spoken out about his team plans for the Euro 2012 Group G encounter in Sofia with Smalling, Micah Richards and Phil Jagielka all vying to fill the right-back position. And, while Smalling has made his name in the Under-21s as a central defender, it seems he has impressed Capello so much this season and in training that he is now likely to be thrust into the full-back position.
"He surprised me when he played at Wembley in the Community Shield against Manchester City," said Capello."He played well. In fact, the four games that he's played at right-back, he's played really well."I always saw him play in central defence before. He is playing with confidence. He has improved and improved."Smalling's United team-mates Tom Cleverley and Phil Jones are also in the squad but Capello is largely set to stick with his more experienced men in the Bulgaria game.
"Some are ready, some are probably a risk because they didn't play at this level in such important games with the national team," he added."When you play important games for your club, you know the players who play with you, their movement, where you receive the ball."Here it's different. You play with the other team-mates, but sometimes you are alone."
Source: DSG
