Thierry Small Explained

Thierry Small
Fullname:Thierry Small[1]
Birth Date:1 August 2004
Birth Place:Solihull, England[2]
Height:1.77m (05.81feet)[3]
Position:Left-back
Currentclub:Charlton Athletic
Clubnumber:26
Youthyears1:2011–2016
Youthclubs1:West Bromwich Albion
Youthyears2:2016–2021
Youthclubs2:Everton
Years1:2021
Clubs1:Everton
Caps1:0
Goals1:0
Years2:2021–2024
Clubs2:Southampton
Caps2:0
Goals2:0
Years3:2022
Clubs3:Port Vale (loan)
Caps3:4
Goals3:0
Years4:2023
Clubs4:St Mirren (loan)
Caps4:14
Goals4:0
Years5:2023–2024
Clubs5:St Mirren (loan)
Caps5:5
Goals5:0
Years6:2024–
Clubs6:Charlton Athletic
Caps6:15
Goals6:1
Nationalyears1:2021
Nationalteam1:England U17
Nationalcaps1:1
Nationalgoals1:0
Nationalyears2:2022
Nationalteam2:England U18
Nationalcaps2:3
Nationalgoals2:0
Club-Update:15:10, 17 August 2024 (UTC)

Thierry Small (born 1 August 2004) is an English footballer who plays as a left-back for club Charlton Athletic.

Small became the youngest player in Everton's history in January 2021, aged 16 years and 176 days, but turned professional with Southampton shortly after turning 17. He spent the 2022–23 season on loan at EFL League One side Port Vale and Scottish Premiership club St Mirren, returning to St Mirren on loan for the 2023–24 campaign. He joined Charlton Athletic permanently in February 2024.

Club career

Everton

Small spent time at West Bromwich Albion before joining the academy at Everton at the age of 11. He made his first-team debut for Everton on 24 January 2021, coming on as a late substitute in a 3–0 FA Cup win over Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park. In doing so, he became the youngest player in Everton history at the age of 16 years and 176 days, breaking Jose Baxter's 2008 record by 15 days.[4] However, he feared not getting game-time under Carlo Ancelotti, with Lucas Digne and Niels Nkounkou ahead of him the first-team pecking order, and subsequently rejected the opportunity to turn professional at Everton at the age of 17 and instead became a free agent.[5] [3] Everton coach David Unsworth said that "we made him an unbelievable offer... but when a player doesn't want to be at your club, it's very difficult to try and keep him".[6]

Southampton

On 24 August 2021, Small signed for Southampton on a three-year contract.[7] Everton rejected Southampton's offer of £1.5 million compensation, leaving the case to be decided by a tribunal.[3] Manager Ralph Hasenhüttl stated that "we have already signed a player this summer with good experience at left-back in Romain Perraud, and Thierry's arrival now gives us a very good balance and a strong additional option in that position".[8] He scored for the under-21 team in their 4–0 victory at Crawley Town in the EFL Trophy on 9 November.[9] He went on to be shortlisted for the November 2021 Premier League 2 Player of the Month award.[10] He made his first-team debut for the club in the FA Cup on 5 February 2022, in a 2–1 win over Coventry City at St Mary's.[11] On 1 February 2024, Small left the club following the mutual termination of his contract.[12]

Loan to Port Vale

On 26 July 2022, Small joined EFL League One club Port Vale on a season-long loan deal.[13] Manager Darrell Clarke experimented by playing him as a forward in the Staffordshire Senior Cup.[14] He continued to play for the Southampton youth team after not making the matchday squads at Vale Park.[15] [16] He was recalled to Southampton by new manager Nathan Jones on 11 November, with Clarke admitting that "for various reasons, he hasn't played the minutes that we would have liked" as the Vale had Mal Benning, Dan Jones and Liam McCarron to compete for the left-wing-back position.[17]

Loans to St Mirren

On 31 January 2023, Small joined Scottish Premiership club St Mirren on loan for the rest of the 2022–23 season.[18] Manager Stephen Robinson said that his arrival would provide competition for Scott Tanser on the left-hand side.[19] On 22 April, he was sent off for receiving two yellow cards in the space of 14 seconds during a 2–0 defeat to Kilmarnock at St Mirren Park; the first yellow was for dissent and the second was for a shirt pull.[20] On 24 May, he was shown a straight red card for a dangerous challenge on Bojan Miovski in a 3–0 defeat at Aberdeen.[21]

On 26 August 2023, Small rejoined St Mirren on a season-long loan.[22] On 3 January 2024, he was recalled to Southampton after six appearances during his second loan spell.[23]

Charlton Athletic

On 2 February 2024, Small joined League One club Charlton Athletic on a contract to run until the end of the 2023–24 season, with a club option of an additional year.[24] Small scored on his Charlton debut on 17 February 2024, in a 3–3 draw at Bolton Wanderers.[25]

The club confirmed in May that they had triggered the one-year extension clause in Small's contract.[26] Technical director Andy Scott said that a "long-term" contract offer had also been made.[27]

International career

Small has represented England at youth international level. He appeared as a second-half substitute for the under-17 side in a friendly against Watford under-23s in March 2021.[28] He made his debut for England U18s on 7 June 2022, during a 3–2 victory over Austria in Croatia.[29] This was the first of three games he played in a four-team mini-tournament that England won.[30]

Style of play

Small is a powerful and pacey left-back with good ball-striking ability and stamina.[2] He can also play in central defence or on the left wing.[31]

Personal life

Small was born in England and is of Jamaican, Kittitian, and Panamanian descent. He has a Panamanian grandfather.[32] Small's uncle, Bryan Small, was a professional footballer who played for Aston Villa in the Premier League and other Football League clubs.[33]

Career statistics

Club

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational CupLeague CupOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Everton2020–21Premier League0010000010
Southampton2021–22Premier League00100010
2022–23Premier League00000000
2023–24Championship00000000
Total0010000010
Southampton U212021–221111
Port Vale (loan)2022–23League One4000103080
St Mirren (loan)2022–23Scottish Premiership140100000150
2023–24Scottish Premiership5000100060
Total190101000210
Charlton Athletic2023–24League One141141
2024–25League One1000100020
Total151001000161
Career total381303041482

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020/21 Premier League squads confirmed. 20 October 2020. 24 January 2021. premierleague.com.
  2. Web site: Thierry Small on learning from Baines, studying Maldini and 'great club' Everton . Peter . Lennox . Everton F.C. . 2 January 2021 . 24 January 2021.
  3. Web site: Thierry Small 51 . toffeeweb.com . 26 July 2022.
  4. News: Everton 3–0 Sheffield Wednesday: Dominic Calvert-Lewin back on the scoresheet for Toffees . Sky Sports . 24 January 2021 . 25 January 2021.
  5. News: Archer . Kyle . Arsenal target Thierry Small wants assurances on Carlo Ancelotti's plans before signing Everton contract . 26 July 2022 . The Boot Room . 7 May 2021.
  6. News: Jones . Adam . Thierry Small exit explained after 'unbelievable' Everton offer rejected . 26 July 2022 . Liverpool Echo . 20 September 2021 . en.
  7. News: House . Alfie . Southampton FC sign young Everton left-back Thierry Small . 24 August 2021 . Daily Echo . 24 August 2021 . Southampton.
  8. News: Saints sign teenage star Small . 26 July 2022 . Southampton FC . 24 August 2021 . en.
  9. News: Drake . Jonny . Report Crawley Town 0-4 Southampton U21s . 26 July 2022 . www.crawleytownfc.com . 9 November 2021 . en-gb.
  10. News: November 2021 PL2 Player of the Month shortlist . 26 July 2022 . www.premierleague.com . 6 December 2021 . en.
  11. News: Southampton beat Coventry in extra time . 26 July 2022 . BBC Sport . 5 February 2022.
  12. Web site: 1 February 2024 . Thierry Small departs the club . 2 February 2024 . Southampton FC.
  13. News: Mounteney . Luke . Thierry Small Joins The Vale on Loan . 26 July 2022 . Port Vale F.C. . 26 July 2022 . en-gb.
  14. News: Warlow . Rob . Saints loanee Thierry Small makes mark with Port Vale in Staffordshire cup tie . 24 October 2022 . hampshirelive . 4 October 2022 . en.
  15. News: Warlow . Rob . Thierry Small makes one-off appearance as Saints' B team win against Aston Villa . 24 October 2022 . hampshirelive . 10 October 2022 . en.
  16. News: Baggaley . Michael . On-loan Port Vale defender Thierry Small impresses for Southampton B . 24 October 2022 . StokeonTrentLive . 11 October 2022 . en.
  17. News: Baggaley . Michael . Clarke message as Southampton cut short Small's loan at Port Vale . 11 November 2022 . StokeonTrentLive . 11 November 2022 . en.
  18. News: St Mirren sign Southampton teenager Small on loan . 1 February 2023 . BBC Sport . 31 January 2023.
  19. News: Thierry Small joins St Mirren on loan until the end of the season . 1 February 2023 . www.stmirren.com . 31 January 2023.
  20. News: Herrall . Jack . St Mirren lose but 'good enough' for top-six spot . 12 May 2023 . BBC Sport . 22 April 2023.
  21. News: O'Neill . George . 'Phenomenal' Aberdeen crush St Mirren to take third . 31 May 2023 . BBC Sport . 24 May 2023.
  22. Web site: 26 August 2023 . Thierry Small joins St Mirren on loan . 26 August 2023 . Southampton FC.
  23. Web site: 3 January 2023 . Thierry Small recalled from St Mirren loan . 3 January 2023 . Southampton FC.
  24. News: Thierry Small joins Charlton . Charlton Athletic Official Site . 2 February 2024 . 2 February 2024.
  25. News: Bolton Wanderers 3-3 Charlton Athletic . 20 February 2024 . BBC Sport . 17 February 2024.
  26. News: Charlton Trigger Thierry Small's Extension Clause . Charlton Athletic Official Site . 16 May 2024 . 16 May 2024.
  27. News: Charlton Athletic trigger Thierry Small extension clause . 16 May 2024 . BBC Sport . 16 May 2024.
  28. Web site: England U17 Vs. Watford U23 2 - 1. Soccerway. 30 March 2021. 8 July 2021.
  29. Web site: Match Report: England MU18s 3-2 Austria . EnglandFoobtall.com. 7 June 2022. 8 June 2022.
  30. News: House . Alfie . Saints youngster wins mini-tournament with England youth . 26 July 2022 . Daily Echo . 14 June 2022 . en.
  31. News: In Profile: Thierry Small . 26 July 2022 . Southampton FC . 24 August 2021 . en.
  32. News: Eduardo Cotes . Raúl . Thierry Small pidió no ser presionado en jugar para Panamá o Inglaterra . 12 November 2022 . www.rpctv.com . 20 July 2021 . es-PA.
  33. Web site: Player profiles: Thierry Small . Everton F.C. . 24 January 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210131154405/https://www.evertonfc.com/players/75104/thierry-small . 31 January 2021.