Who is Thierry Small? The Everton wonderkid linked with a move to the Emirates

Who is Thierry Small? The Everton wonderkid linked with a move to the Emirates

By Adam Le Roux

Thierry Small is a wanted man, and Arsenal will have to see off a number of other Premier League clubs to capture his signature.

The Everton teenager is already said to be interesting the likes of Manchester United and Brighton after reportedly turning down a three-year professional deal at Goodison Park, leaving a number of suitors sniffing around.

But how much do we know about the Toffees defender, and just why are there so many sides eager to get him to turn out in their colours?

Dazzling debut

Small wasted no time in making his mark on Merseyside, as he became the youngest-ever player to feature for Everton when he came off the bench in a 3-0 victory over Sheffield Wednesday in January.

At the tender age of 16 years and 157 days, the left-back looked at home on the highest stage straight away and played with all the composure of someone twice his age against the Owls.

It is no secret that he is highly thought of at Goodison Park, with the powers above eager to tie him down to a long-term deal as he signs his first professional terms, but it looks as if the teenager has ideas of his own.

Small seems reluctant to pen the new contract over fears he won’t be playing first team football anytime soon, with regular incumbent Lucas Digne not likely to be displaced in the near future.

Carlo Ancelotti also has the services of Niels Nkounkou at his disposal, meaning Small is third in line to the left-back slot at present. But despite his lack of years he has no absence of self-confidence, believing he should be playing regular Premier League football.

Wild on the wings

Small is considered the best left-back in the country in his age group, with his dynamic play seeing him bomb up and down the wing, while he is more than capable of doing a job at either end of the pitch.

He has already been noticed at international level, having featured for England under-17s last week in a 2-1 victory over Watford under-23s after coming on as a half-time substitute.

Small’s hunger to get forward is something that would play right into the hands of Mikel Arteta if he were able to get his hands on the young talent, with the defender fitting the exact mould of what the Spaniard requires from his defenders.

 

In this ever-changing Arsenal team there is more of an emphasis on the wide defenders being comfortable in possession and carrying the ball up the pitch, which looks to be just what Small specialises in.

He showed just as much in Everton under-18s’ FA Youth Cup victory over the esteemed academy side from Manchester City on Saturday, as he kept some of the best young talent in the country quiet to help his side steal a late win.

The early signs look promising, and Arsenal will have to act quickly if they are to get their man this summer.

Bellerin’s back-up?

Small’s issue with a lack of game time could be a thing of the past if he makes the move to the Emirates this season, with Hector Bellerin’s future at the club said to be in doubt.

The Spaniard is rumoured to be heading back to former club Barcelona in the summer, after nearly a decade as a Gunner, and despite his age Small could be the perfect replacement for the right-back.

Bellerin is the perfect example of someone purchased in their youth before going on to flourish later in his career, with the 26-year-old playing over 200 matches for Arsenal since his arrival from the Nou Camp back in 2012.

Arteta has made no attempt to hide how willing he is to throw youngsters into the Premier League mire in his tenure as manager, with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe testament to his faith in the next generation of talent.

Ancelotti seems less willing to do so at Everton, which makes the move to the Emirates seem like the perfect career move for the exciting full-back, who would also have the likes of Kieran Tierney to learn from and compete with, too.

Photo Credit: Getty Images